Sharks vs. Devils Tonight: New Jersey Chases Seventh Straight Win as San Jose Tries to Build on Breakthrough

The New Jersey Devils return to Prudential Center on Friday night hunting a seventh consecutive victory, while the San Jose Sharks arrive on the back end of a road back-to-back looking to bottle the momentum from their first win of the season. It’s a classic scheduling squeeze: a rested, red-hot home team versus a visitor riding the emotions—and fatigue—of an overtime thriller less than 24 hours earlier.

Snapshot: form, stakes, and context

• Records (pre-game): Devils 6–1–0; Sharks 1–4–2

• Trendlines: Devils have won six straight; Sharks just snapped a season-opening skid with an OT win.

• Special teams watch: New Jersey enters with an elite early-season penalty kill, having stuffed 21 straight power plays (24-for-25 overall).

• Schedule factor: San Jose is on a back-to-back, a spot that typically trims five-on-five pace and shortens benches.

Early action reflected the expected tug-of-war: New Jersey driving shot volume and in-zone time, San Jose leaning on counterpunches and the power play to steady the road start.

Devils keys: forecheck layers and the kill that won’t quit

New Jersey’s six-game heater has been powered by three repeatable pillars:

1. Layered forecheck → turnovers. The first man pressures the puck; the second shades the wall to seal exits; the third hovers middle to pounce on slot turnovers. It’s turned neutral-zone dumps into extended offensive-zone shifts and tired defenders.

2. PK precision. Lanes are sealed, sticks active, clears decisive. The unit’s confidence shows in aggressive entries denial—blowing up set-plays before they form.

3. Top-six tempo. With multiple lines capable of tilting the rink, New Jersey doesn’t have to chase matchups; they roll pressure and force opponents into bad changes.

Goaltending note: with a compact structure in front, the Devils’ starter mainly faces clean looks; rebound control will determine whether San Jose’s net-front threats get second chances.

Sharks keys: rookie star power, set plays, and managing minutes

San Jose’s path is narrower but real:

• Rookie engine: The Macklin Celebrini–driven top six has injected pace and playmaking. If he draws extra attention, the weak-side bumper and late D activation become crucial.

• Faceoff design. Look for low-slot tips off clean O-zone wins and high cycle into seam passes to stress New Jersey’s slot coverage.

• Back-to-back management. Expect shorter shifts, early glass-and-out clears, and a conservative neutral-zone look to protect legs. Special teams—and especially the first unit power play—must cash in to offset five-on-five volume.

Matchups to watch

• Jesper Bratt/Jack Hughes vs. San Jose’s top pair: If New Jersey’s drivers gain the blue line with control, the Sharks’ defense must steer entries wide and live with point shots rather than slot seams.

• Net-front battles: Jakob Poeltl doesn’t play hockey—but San Jose’s forwards will try to emulate that basketball-style seal at the crease. New Jersey’s defenders must win body position without taking minors.

• Young guns on young guns: Celebrini versus New Jersey’s pacey middle six is appointment viewing; watch how frequently the Devils attempt denial at the line instead of passive gap.

Numbers that travel

• High-danger chances: During the win streak, New Jersey has flipped third periods with a strong HDCF differential; San Jose must avoid the familiar late-game swell by shortening shifts and using timeouts to reset.

• Shot assists: The Devils’ east-west pass count before shots has spiked; if the Sharks can force straight-line looks and limit royal-road passes, they keep their goalie in the game.

• PK/PP swing: With New Jersey’s PK scorching, even one Sharks conversion could be a series-tilter within the game script.

What will decide it

1. San Jose’s first 10 minutes of each period. Fresh-leg windows are where the Sharks can steal momentum and draw minors.

2. Faceoff execution in the D-zone. Clean Devils wins into one-touch slot shots have been a hallmark—San Jose must tie up and collapse.

3. Goaltending composure. A back-to-back magnifies rebound control and puck-handling behind the net; one misread can feed New Jersey’s cycle machine.

Prediction lean

The model leans Devils in regulation given rest, special-teams edge, and five-on-five territorial control. The upset path for San Jose requires +1 special-teams goals, a .920+ save night, and limiting New Jersey’s rush looks to keep the crowd out of it.

Projected script: Devils carry shot share and finally crack it in the second; Sharks punch back on a set-play or PP; New Jersey closes with an empty-netter.

Lean: Devils 4, Sharks 2.

Note: In-game developments (goalie confirmations, scratches, and special-teams adjustments) can nudge this by a goal either way, but the core edges—rest and PK—remain with New Jersey.