3 Takeaways From Devils’ 4-1 Win Over Ducks

On Thursday night, the New Jersey Devils continued their three-game homestand, facing off against the Anaheim Ducks. Fans also took part in Prudential Center’s first-ever K-Pop Night, which featured limited-edition merchandise, concourse activations, special menu items, and more. 

The Devils sought their second consecutive win after defeating the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, while the Ducks were on the hunt for their first win since Oct. 10.

For the fifth game in a row, the Devils scored the first goal, and their consistent efforts were rewarded. New Jersey came away with a 4-1 win, and they are now 6-4-0 to start the season.

Early Offensive Pressure Is Key

In the opening period, the Devils were militant in all three zones, with a strong defensive effort that kept the Ducks at bay. Whether they were disrupting passes, landing hits, or breaking up plays, the home team had a phenomenal start to the game. After 20 minutes, Anaheim was held to just two shots on goal.

Arseny Gritsyuk opened the scoring 4:38 into the game, extending his goal streak to four games. He set the play in motion by stripping Leo Carlsson of the puck, then tipped Jesper Bratt’s centering pass into the net past Ville Husso. The Ducks nearly evened the score toward the end of the first, but Alex Killorn was sent to the box for tripping, keeping the game 1-0 in favor of the Devils.

With less than a minute left in the first, Nico Hischier extended the Devils’ lead to two goals. He picked up Bratt’s rebound on the power play, firing the puck home for his fifth of the season. The captain currently leads the team with four goals on the man advantage.

That’s that red venom. #NJDevils | @Mikes_Amazing https://t.co/ftO8Yu1ht9

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 22, 2026

Establishing an early lead was crucial, because it allowed the Devils to set the tone for the rest of the game. Even when the Ducks scored halfway through the third, they stayed calm and collected, with a steady netfront presence that directly led to Anthony Mantha’s insurance goal. Playing with this level of tenacity can become a major strength throughout the season.

Nico Daws Stands Tall in Net

Heading into this season, the Devils needed Daws to embrace a much larger role after his path to a full-time NHL spot was finally cleared. Even though his start to 2026-27 was less than ideal, he’s shown flashes of brilliance, playing with more poise and confidence in every start.

Coming off of a 7-1 victory against the New York Rangers in his last game, expectations for Daws were at an all-time high — and for good reason. He has the ability to make crucial saves in the Devils’ times of need, and the game against the Ducks was no exception. Though the team ensured that he was not tested early on in the game, Daws made eight saves in the second period. He allowed just one goal in the third, ending the night with a .941 SV% after stopping a total of 16 shots. This marked his second consecutive start giving up only a single goal.

In his postgame interview, Daws stressed the importance of the team’s combined efforts, especially their defensive responsibility. He told media, “Tonight in the d-zone, guys are really taking accountability and making sure that we all have each other’s backs. If somebody messes up, somebody’s there to clean it up.” 

Having cohesion throughout the lineup has been a crucial asset within the last few games. As Daws continues to become more comfortable as the season wears on, the club might finally achieve stability in net.

Defense Leads the Way

Defense was outstanding all night long, particularly Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce. Unsurprisingly, Hughes led the Devils in ice time (24:19) and was a dominant force on the blue line. He stripped Anaheim of the puck with ease, racing through the defensive zone to create plays and disrupt opposing scoring chances. The Hughes-Pesce pairing was on the ice for two Devils goals and helped generate eight shots on goal, four high-danger scoring chances, and 15 shot attempts.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe praised the evolution of Hughes’s game in his press conference afterwards. Keefe listed all the qualities that make him a cornerstone defenseman, even saying he has the potential to be one of the best blueliners in the NHL. “He’s got size, he’s strong, he’s heavy, he’s powerful, he can skate, he’s got all the qualities you want in a defenseman. So we’re just going to keep working with him and keep putting him in those spots,” he stated.

Hughes has already put up some impressive numbers within the first ten games of the season. He currently ranks third overall for the Devils with 30 shots on goal, which places him in the 99th percentile among the league’s defensemen. 

His ability to suppress shots is another factor that should not be understated. Not only does he have a 61.60 shots for percentage (SF%), but he’s also been on the ice for 160 scoring chances, compared to 96 against (62.50 SCF%). Overall, Hughes has been a dynamic presence for the Devils, and his commitment to finding consistency is admirable.

Devils Back in Action on Saturday

The Devils will wrap up their homestand against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, Oct. 24, with puck drop set for 3:30 PM ET. Can they pull off another victory and earn their first three-game win streak of the season?