The New Jersey Devils commenced their 44th NHL season with a home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 1, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This game marked the Devils' first of the 2026-27 season, while the Flyers entered the matchup with an 0-1 record, following a 7-0 defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener. (nhl.com)
The Devils' lineup featured 23-year-old Amadeus Lombardi making his NHL debut, a testament to his impressive performance during training camp and preseason. (nhl.com)
Pre-game festivities included player arrivals at Championship Plaza, fan entertainment, and giveaways, enhancing the excitement for the season opener. (nhl.com)
In terms of betting odds, the Devils were favored with a moneyline of -170, while the Flyers stood at +140. The over/under for the game was set at 5.5 goals. (fanduel.com)
Both teams faced injury challenges. The Devils were without Connor Brown (undisclosed), Nick Bjugstad (pectoral), Johnathan Kovacevic (knee), and Seamus Casey (knee). The Flyers' injury list included Nikita Grebenkin (upper body), Denver Barkey (lower body), and Helge Grans (lower body). (nhl.com)
This matchup was the first of four scheduled meetings between the Devils and Flyers for the season, setting the stage for an intense Metropolitan Division rivalry.