The air hits different when the PATH train is full of red jerseys headed toward Newark or blue shirts swarming Penn Station. It’s tribal. For decades, the New Jersey Devils vs Rangers matchup has been the kind of theater where you don't just watch the game—you survive it. But as we sit here in January 2026, the vibe around this rivalry has taken a weird, almost somber turn.
Honestly, the schedule makers did us dirty this year.
Usually, these teams are trading blows by November. This season? We haven't even seen them face off yet. The NHL decided to stick all three matchups in March. It's a bizarre choice that feels even stranger now that the New York Rangers just sent out "The Letter." Yeah, that letter. The one where Chris Drury basically told the fanbase they’re selling at the deadline. It’s a retool, a rebuild, whatever you want to call it. It means the fire we usually see in this rivalry might be more of a flicker when March finally rolls around.
The State of the Hudson River Rivalry in 2026
Right now, the Metropolitan Division standings tell a story of two teams stuck in the middle, but heading in opposite directions. The Devils are sitting at 24-21-2 with 50 points. They're technically in the hunt, but it’s been a rollercoaster. Meanwhile, the Rangers are lagging behind at 20-22-6.
That 10-2 blowout loss the Rangers took against Boston on January 10th? That felt like the breaking point.
When you look at the New Jersey Devils vs Rangers history, it’s usually defined by high-stakes playoff drama or brutal regular-season brawls. Remember 2023? The Devils coming back to take that series in seven games was a core memory for anyone in Jersey. Last year, the Devils absolutely owned the season series, going 3-1 and outscoring the Rangers 16-5. Jacob Markstrom was a wall, recording two shutouts against New York.
But this year, the context has shifted.
The Rangers are looking toward the future, with kids like Gabe Perreault and Noah Laba getting more ice time while the veterans deal with a "minus-everything" rating. It’s kinda depressing for the Garden faithful. You've got Artemi Panarin still producing—he’s got 51 points—but the team defense has been a sieve. They just gave up 8 goals to Ottawa. 8!
Why the March Matchups Still Matter
Even if the Rangers are "sellers," you can't just turn off this rivalry. It’s built into the DNA of the fans. The Devils are desperate for points to leapfrog teams like the Flyers or Capitals for a wildcard spot. For them, these games are must-wins.
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- March 7, 2026: The first meeting at the Prudential Center.
- March 18, 2026: The rivalry moves to Madison Square Garden.
- March 31, 2026: The regular-season finale between the two in NYC.
Jack Hughes is back and doing Jack Hughes things, even if he’s missed some time. He’s got 30 points in 29 games. When he’s on the ice with Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier, the Devils look like world-beaters. The problem has been consistency. One night they’re shutting people down, the next they’re giving up four goals in the third period.
The Goaltending Narrative
This used to be the "Battle of the Vezinas."
Igor Shesterkin vs. Jacob Markstrom.
It’s still the marquee matchup, but the stats are... human. Igor is sitting with a .893 save percentage. That’s not the Igor we know. On the other side, Markstrom has been better (.892 is similar, but his 2.45 GAA in wins is solid), but the Devils’ defense hasn’t always helped him out.
If the Devils are going to make a real run, they need Markstrom to channel that 2024-25 energy where he basically single-handedly bullied the Rangers. He had three wins against them last season. He knows how to get in their heads.
Key Players to Watch
- Mika Zibanejad: He’s been a bright spot lately, on a seven-game point streak. Even when the Rangers lose 8-4, he’s out there picking up primary assists.
- Luke Hughes: He’s logging over 23 minutes a night. For a young defenseman, that’s a massive workload. His growth is basically the barometer for the Devils' blue line.
- Matt Rempe: Love him or hate him, he’s the "vitriol" factor. If the games start to feel like "meaningless" late-season matchups, Rempe is the guy who will probably start a line brawl just to remind everyone that these two teams hate each other.
Breaking Down the "Seller" Mentality
When a team sends a letter to fans in January saying they’re rebuilding, it usually sucks the gravity out of the room. The Rangers are essentially admitting that the core of Panarin, Zibanejad, and Kreider might have peaked.
But here’s the thing about New Jersey Devils vs Rangers games: the "meaningless" tag never actually sticks.
I remember the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. I remember the Adam Henrique goal. The Rangers were the favorites then, too. History shows that whenever one team is down, they play twice as hard just to ruin the other team's season. If the Rangers can play spoiler and keep the Devils out of the playoffs, that’s their Stanley Cup for 2026.
Honestly, the Devils should be worried. A team with nothing to lose is dangerous. Especially a team with Igor Shesterkin, who is capable of stealing a game even when he’s having a "down" year.
What You Should Actually Expect in March
Don't expect a tactical masterpiece. Expect chaos.
The Rangers' defense is currently a mess, and the Devils' offense is built on speed and transition. This has the potential to be a high-scoring nightmare for goaltenders. We’re talking 6-5 games.
If you're betting on these games or just watching for the vibes, keep an eye on the power plays. The Rangers still have a lethal top unit when they’re clicking, and the Devils have been surprisingly disciplined this year.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to follow the New Jersey Devils vs Rangers stretch in March, here is how you should approach it:
- Watch the Trade Deadline (Early March): See who the Rangers actually move. If they ship out veteran depth, the March 7th game will be a showcase for their prospects.
- Monitor the Devils' Wildcard Gap: If the Devils are within 2-3 points of a playoff spot by mid-March, the intensity of these games will skyrocket.
- Focus on the "Hughes vs. The World" matchup: Jack and Luke Hughes are the centerpiece of the Devils' identity. Watch how the Rangers try to physical them out of the game, likely using Rempe or Edstrom.
- Tickets: Expect prices to drop slightly for the MSG games if the Rangers continue to slide, but Newark will likely stay packed as Devils fans smell blood in the water.
The Hudson River Rivalry might be "dark" right now according to some pundits, but once that first puck drops in March, all those letters to fans and mid-season blowouts won't matter. It’s Jersey. It’s New York. It’s always personal.