Devils Roll Past Stars in Balanced Effort, Extend Winning Streak to Four Games
The New Jersey Devils defeated the Dallas Stars 5-1 in a complete team performance, with 12 different players recording points. Arseny Gritsyuk extended his point streak to six games with an assist, and Connor Hellebuyck made his debut with a win, helping solidify a strong start to their West Coast road trip.
On October 27, 2026, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Dallas Stars 5-1 in a dominant display of team hockey during the opening game of their West Coast road trip. The victory extended the Devils’ win streak to four games, marking their first regulation road win of the season after earlier setbacks including a 6-0 loss to the Islanders and an overtime victory over Detroit. Twelve different Devils players recorded points, with Nico Hischier scoring twice—first assisted by Luke Evangelista and Johnathan Kovacevic, then again with Timo Meier and Luke Hughes. Jack Hughes, despite losing a tooth early in the game, returned with a full face mask and recorded an assist on Jesper Boqvist’s goal. Arseny Gritsyuk extended his point streak to six games with an assist, contributing to his 10 points in 12 games this season. The game also marked the NHL debut of newly acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 17 of 18 shots and earned his first win with New Jersey after being traded from the Winnipeg Jets just days prior.
This performance comes after a series of strategic moves by the Devils’ front office, including the high-profile acquisition of Hellebuyck to bolster their goaltending depth amid injuries and inconsistent play earlier in the season. The decision to deploy him so quickly—only four days after the trade—reflects confidence in his readiness and the team’s need for immediate stability. Head coach Sheldon Keefe has been experimenting with line combinations, notably
The Devils’ win over the Stars, while not a headline-grabbing upset, signals a potential shift in momentum for a team that has struggled with consistency on the road. The integration of Connor Hellebuyck into the lineup could have ripple effects across the NHL’s goaltending market, potentially influencing trade dynamics and team strategies as other franchises assess their own netminders. Hellebuyck’s rapid deployment after a trade may set a precedent for how teams manage high-profile acquisitions during tight schedules, especially when player health and conditioning are concerns. The Devils’ balanced scoring—12 players with points—highlights the value of depth in today’s league, where star power alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee success. This could encourage other teams to prioritize roster balance over single superstars, particularly in a season where injuries and fatigue are common. A comparable case is the 2019 Toronto Maple Leafs’ mid-season surge after acquiring key veter