New Jersey Devils’ 3 Stars of October

The New Jersey Devils have begun the 2026-27 season on a high note, closing out October with a 9-5-0 record. After some initial struggles to find consistency, the club achieved a four-game win streak and has won five of its last six contests. The Devils’ success is a direct result of top-six chemistry, strong 5-on-5 metrics, and a surge in defensive efforts.

Though their special teams still need some work, the Devils have done a great job tilting the ice in their favor, generating scoring opportunities at an impressive rate. Their roster has only strengthened further with the addition of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who led the team to victory twice on their most recent road trip.

As we head into November, it’s time to highlight which players went above and beyond last month. Here is this season’s first installment of the “Three Stars of the Month” series for The Hockey Writers.

Third Star: Nico Hischier

It should come as no surprise that the captain kicks off our list as the third star of October. Nico Hischier remains an essential part of the Devils’ star-studded top six, and his impact has only been elevated with Timo Meier and newcomer Luke Evangelista on his wing.

Hischier continues to do it all for New Jersey, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile two-way centers in the league. Whether he’s scoring goals, acting as a defensive anchor, or manning the top power-play unit, he has the ability to shift the momentum of any given game.

He rounded out last month with two multi-point performances, beginning with two goals and an assist on Oct. 10 against the Vancouver Canucks. More recently, he scored twice in the Devils’ 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars, which included the game-winning goal in the second period.

So far this season, Hischier has notched seven goals and two assists, averaging 2.4 shots on goal per game. He ranks second in the NHL with 157 faceoff wins, while also leading the Devils with a 59.7 win percentage (FOW%).

This season has even marked a number of milestones for the Swiss native. He earned his 200th NHL goal against the Canucks, climbing the ranks of the franchise’s all-time greats. He currently sits at 206 career goals, passing Bobby Holik and Travis Zajac to claim third overall in Devils’ goalscoring.

Second Star: Luke Hughes

In just 14 games, one thing has become clear: Luke Hughes has what it takes to be the Devils’ number one defenseman. He had plenty to prove after spending the offseason recovering from shoulder surgery, but now he’s on track for a breakout campaign.

Hughes scored his first of the season in the home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. His goal late in the third tied the game at two, paving the way for a 3-2 overtime victory. He also contributed two goals in a 7-1 win over the New York Rangers. Already, he has five goals and two assists and is on pace for 30 goals, which would surpass the career-high he set in 2023-24 (9).