Minnesota Wild Face New Jersey Devils: Game Preview

The Minnesota Wild, currently with a record of 3 wins, 3 losses, and 1 overtime loss, are set to face the New Jersey Devils, who boast a 5-1-0 record, tonight in Newark. This matchup follows the Wild’s recent victory over the New York Rangers, which helped them break a two-game losing streak. In contrast, the Devils are riding a wave of momentum with five consecutive wins, including a recent 5-2 triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Minnesota Wild vs. New Jersey Devils: Game Preview

Past Encounters and Current Form

• The Devils have prevailed in their last two meetings against the Wild.
• The most recent clash occurred on March 31, 2025, where the Devils won 3-2.
• The previous match on March 29, 2025, ended in a 5-2 victory for New Jersey.

Historically, the Wild have found moderate success in their recent visits to New Jersey, holding a 5-1-2 record over the last eight games since October 22, 2016.

Key Players to Watch

• Jack Hughes: The Devils’ standout has netted six goals in his last three games, including a hat trick in the recent match against the Maple Leafs.
• Jesper Bratt: Leads the Devils with 10 points in just six games, contributing three assists in the last outing.
• Kirill Kaprizov: The Wild’s top performer with five goals, he shares the lead in points (10) with teammate Matthew Boldy.

Statistical Overview

• The Devils rank fifth in the NHL with a power-play conversion rate of 27.78%.
• They also lead the league with two shorthanded goals.
• New Jersey sits third in the NHL for goals scored, while Minnesota is ranked 17th.
• The Wild currently lead the league in power-play percentage at 34.48%.
• Defensively, the Devils have the third-ranked penalty kill; however, the Wild rank 26th, with a penalty kill percentage of 72.2%.

Coaching and Player News

Tonight’s game marks a reunion for Minnesota head coach John Hynes, who previously coached the Devils from 2015 to 2019. His tenure included a playoff appearance in 2018 before he joined the Wild.

If Brian Halonen takes the ice, it will be a homecoming for the winger, who hails from Delano, Minnesota. He recently made headlines for a physical altercation during a game.

Nico Daws is expected to start as goaltender for the Devils, making his first appearance of the 2025-26 season. Daws has played 52 NHL games, securing 22 wins and holding a .898 save percentage.

Stefan Noesen may also return to the lineup after recovering from a groin injury. He practiced with a line including Luke Glendening and Paul Cotter this week, indicating a possible season debut soon.

Injury Updates

• Devils:
  • Dadonov (hand) – month-to-month
  • Kovacevic (knee) – month-to-month
  • Casey (lower body) – undisclosed
  • McLaughlin (undisclosed)
  • Lammikko (undisclosed)
  • MacEwen (upper body) – week-to-week
  • Markstrom (lower body) – week-to-week
• Wild:
  • Bogosian (lower body) – IR
  • Rossi (undisclosed) – day-to-day
  • Sturm (back) – IR
  • Zuccarello (lower body) – IR

Upcoming Match Details

This evening’s game will take place at the Prudential Center, with a scheduled puck drop at 7 p.m. ET. The teams will meet again later this season in Minnesota on January 12.