Devils, Penguins Clash in Final Stretch of NHL Regular Season

NEWARK, New Jersey — The New Jersey Devils will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET at Prudential Center. This matchup marks a critical moment for both teams as the Devils seek to secure momentum heading into the playoffs, while the Penguins aim to finish strong despite missing the postseason.

The Devils, holding a record of 41-30-7, have already clinched a playoff spot, securing them the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division. They recently rebounded from a disappointing loss against the Boston Bruins with a playoff-clinching victory earlier this week. “It’s a very important phase of the season,” said forward Timo Meier. “We’re excited we clinched, but now it’s about how we prepare for that.”

Pittsburgh, with a record of 32-35-12, was officially eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week. Despite this setback, the Penguins have shown resilience, boasting an 8-4-2 record over their last 14 games. “We’re trying to play hard, play the right way,” said Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. “It says a lot about the group and the leadership we have.”

When it comes to special teams, the Devils hold the upper hand with a power play percentage of 27.9%, ranking third in the league, and an impressive penalty kill efficiency of 82.5%. In contrast, the Penguins’ power play sits at 25% (seventh), but their penalty kill struggles at just 71.1%. This could be a decisive factor in the outcome of the match.

Both teams have witnessed notable individual performances this season. For New Jersey, Jesper Bratt leads with 88 points, including 67 assists, while captain Nico Hischier has contributed with 35 goals. On the other side, Sidney Crosby remains a significant threat, notching 87 points this season with 56 assists.

In terms of injuries, the Devils will be without key players Jack Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Dougie Hamilton. Meanwhile, the Penguins have listed multiple players, including Philip Tomasino and P.O. Joseph, as day-to-day.

Historically, the Devils have excelled against the Penguins in recent matchups, winning three of their last five games, including a 3-0 shutout on December 22, 2024. However, the Penguins secured a dominant 7-3 victory in their last encounter on March 15, 2025. “We want to right the ship tonight,” defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic expressed ahead of the matchup.

As the puck drops at Prudential Center, all eyes will be on which team can capitalize on special teams and whose goaltender will shine. For the Devils, Jake Allen is expected to start in goal as they look to continue their strong play at home, where their penalty kill ranks best in the league.

The excitement surrounding the game underscores the intensity of late-season NHL action, as each team vies for positioning and pride before the playoffs.