3 takeaways from Devils’ 5-3 win over Oilers – Hockey Writer – New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are in high spirits heading into Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers after defeating the Florida Panthers in their home opener. While the crowd may not have received rally towels today, they were still as raucous as the Devils, winning their fourth straight at 5-3.
Relevant: Jack Hughes scores twice as Devils beat Oilers 5-3
Finally: The winning streak is over!
The biggest question heading into the afternoon is that the Devils haven’t won four straight since January 7-16, 2023… 1,006 days ago. Since then, they have enjoyed a stunning three-game winning streak of 0 wins, 11 draws and 2 losses, but the exhausting drought is finally over. The weight has been lifted: They have won four games in a row, having accomplished the feat in just five games into the season. Their performance was even more impressive – beating three better teams from last season, including one from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Champions (Panthers, Oilers).
It goes without saying that being able to win consecutively separates “good” teams from “elite” teams, and was a big reason why the Devils struggled last season. If they can continue this winning streak, or start some new ones in the future, they’ll be in a better position.
When Brett Pace was told about the streak, his eyes lit up with shock: “Wow, that’s a crazy stat. I wish we had figured this out last year, but, yeah… we believe in our structure. We believe in our game, no matter what happens. We’re not going to freak out.”
Penalty kill shines
The Devils may have been shorthanded more than they should have been at the start of the game: They were shorthanded 4.25 times per game, fourth-most in the NHL. However, a penalty shootout saw them advance, allowing just one goal on 17 power plays.
The Devils gave Connor McDavid and the Oilers the man advantage just 1:34 into the game when Dawson Mercer hit a high stick. They eliminated that and got tripped up by Jesper Bratt in the second quarter.
In the third inning, Cody Glass was ejected for being sticky. Of course, McDavid’s power play can’t stay out of the boardroom forever… right? Wrong. Instead, the Devils scored a goal of their own while shorthanded: Connor Brown, against his former team.
The Devils almost got it other The goal came shorthanded as Hischier was tackled later. What is their goal difference in penalty shootouts this season? +1. They are now 19-for-20 (95%) with two short balls.
Jack Hughes = Still Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes has had a pretty slow start to the season – at least by his standards. He finally bounced back with his first goal of the season in Thursday’s home opener, a typical Jack Hughes snipe off the goalie’s shoulder.
He did get fit again this afternoon, and as team reporter Sam Kasan said best of the goal: Jack has a “Moses-like ability to pick the Oilers apart” and scored his second highlight-reel goal in as many nights:
Jack is who he is. We are not accepting any questions at this time. pic.twitter.com/ZQnnDknt0M
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 18, 2025
His work is not over yet. He found himself alone with Calvin Pickard and completely stripped him of his clothes, scoring another score worthy of being submitted to ESPN’s top ten.
Brown, who played two seasons with McDavid, said after the game: “[Jack]This is a total deal breaker. His skill level is unparalleled in the league, I mean, if not the most skilled, he’s up there. Incredibly, the way he turned around was different from the others. You saw the second goal and it was ridiculous… He was fun to watch. “
go ahead
The Devils return to action on Tuesday in Toronto (7:00 p.m. ET) looking to make it five straight wins.
