Hey, Devils fans.
SAME STORY
I was really hoping the Devils would get a big Olympic bump, but unfortunately, that was not the case last night. Like I said in my Tweet, I am really starting to feel like I’m Bill Murray from Groundhog Day. I keep waking up to this team finding ways to lose because of their inability to finish on multiple, clean Grade A looks each game. Bratter and Nico both missed the net high on their shorthanded breakaway opportunities, Jack and Arseny were stopped on their Grade A chances by UPL… look, it’s all mind-boggling. I can’t believe game after game we are seeing the star players with breakaways, partial breakaways, and not being able to finish anywhere near their career rates. I’ve truly never seen anything like this, where every player on a team is snakebitten all at once, and for this long.
JACK’S CEREMONY
It was too bad the Devils couldn't get the W after such a tremendous ceremony for Jack and Team USA last night. I loved the support from the fans, and the first period was fast and had lots of energy as a result of that. Overall, considering Jack told me he didn’t even sleep, I thought he played well. He still found a way onto the scoresheet with a primary assist on Timo’s 6v5 goal, and as we also learned from my pregame interview with him, he might not be in any hurry to fix those chiclets. 😂
Jack Hughes hasn't gotten much sleep since scoring the golden goal for USA and may not be in a rush to get his teeth fixed just yet.@NJDevils | @BryceSalvador24 | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/0qIsnYP5N7
— Devils on MSG (@DevilsMSGN) February 26, 2026
PLAYOFF HOPES DWINDLING
We all know after last night's loss that the math is getting even tougher for the Devils to make any potential run at the playoffs. Going into last night's game, I felt that they could only afford five or six regulation losses in the final 25 games, and they’ve already burned one.
Considering PIT will be without Sidney Crosby for at least 4 weeks due to his injury at the Olympics – about half of the remaining season – this team could be vulnerable. It's an opportunity for the Devils to build some momentum with a win, and scoring first (which the Devils haven't done in each of the last six games) will be critical tonight to really instill some doubt in the Pens. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the same thing: You have to bury your chances!
Join Rachel and me for tonight's pregame show as we break down the Devils' lack of finish, Marky's first start since the Olympics tonight, the PK creating chances, and our pre-scout of the Pens. It all starts at 6:30 p.m.!
-Sal
