Hockey isn't just about the goals you see on a nightly highlight reel. It’s about the grind. When the Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils face off, you’re looking at two franchises that have spent the better part of the last few years trying to find their soul again. One is a powerhouse of young talent finally beginning to realize its potential in the Eastern Conference, while the other is a Pacific Division rebuilder stacked with high-ceiling prospects who are tired of losing.
They met recently on December 13, 2025. It wasn't exactly a nail-biter if you look at the final score, but the game told a story about where these two teams are headed. The Devils walked away with a 4-1 win at the Prudential Center, snapping a brutal five-game home losing streak that had fans in Newark more than a little restless.
The December 13 Breakdown: A Study in Execution
New Jersey needed that win. Desperately. Before that Saturday night clash, the Devils (18-13-1 at the time) were sliding. Stefan Noesen stepped up, grabbing a goal and an assist. Jake Allen, a veteran presence between the pipes, made 30 saves to keep the Ducks at bay.
Anaheim actually struck first. Troy Terry, who is basically the heartbeat of the Ducks' offense these days, notched his 10th goal of the season in the first period off a feed from Leo Carlsson. But then the wheels sort of fell off for the boys from Orange County. New Jersey responded with four unanswered goals. Paul Cotter, Cody Glass, and an empty-netter from Connor Brown sealed the deal.
The Ducks' rookie sensation Beckett Sennecke had a rough night statistically, finishing with a -4 rating despite firing five shots on goal. That’s the thing about young players in the NHL—they have the engine, but sometimes the steering is a bit loose.
Key Performance Metrics from the Recent Matchup
- Jake Allen (NJD): 30 saves on 31 shots.
- Troy Terry (ANA): 1 goal, 6 shots on goal, 18:36 TOI.
- Ondrej Palat (NJD): 2 assists.
- Lukas Dostal (ANA): 18 saves on 21 shots in his return from an upper-body injury.
Why the Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils Rivalry is Deeper Than You Think
If you mention these two teams to any hockey fan over the age of 30, their mind immediately goes to 2003. The Stanley Cup Finals. It was a seven-game war. Martin Brodeur vs. J.S. Giguère. Scott Stevens vs. Paul Kariya.
New Jersey won that series, of course, but the bitterness lingers in the DNA of the franchises. Today, the stakes are different. They aren't fighting for a silver trophy in June—at least not yet—but they are fighting for identity.
The Ducks are currently in that awkward "adolescent" phase of a rebuild. They have the pieces: Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier. They’ve even added veteran grit with Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider to try and stabilize the locker room. But as we saw in the December loss, consistency is still the monster under the bed.
The Roster Shuffle: Who’s Leading the Charge?
The Devils’ roster is built to win now. Jack Hughes is the superstar everyone talks about, but even with him sidelined by a finger injury during the December stretch, the depth was visible. Jesper Bratt is quietly putting up Hall of Fame-track numbers for the franchise, currently sitting just behind Scott Niedermayer for sixth on the all-time Devils points list.
On the other side, Anaheim is relying on a mix of kids and "win-later" veterans.
- Leo Carlsson: The Swedish phenom is the real deal. He’s already been named to Sweden’s 2026 Olympic roster.
- Beckett Sennecke: At just 19, he’s showing flashes of brilliance but still learning the defensive side of the pro game.
- Frank Vatrano: A huge loss for the Ducks recently as he went down with a shoulder injury on New Year's Eve, expected to be out for six weeks.
Tactical Differences: Speed vs. Structure
New Jersey plays a fast, transition-heavy game. When they’re on, they suffocate you with puck pursuit. Stefan Noesen summed it up best after the December win, mentioning how he liked the "simplicity" and the "tracking back."
Anaheim is trying to find that same structure. Under their current system, they want to be a puck-possession team, but they turn it over too often in the neutral zone. Against a team like the Devils, that’s suicide.
Current Standings as of January 2026
| Team | Division | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | Metropolitan | 24-21-2 | 50 |
| Anaheim Ducks | Pacific | 21-21-3 | 45 |
Both teams are hovering around the .500 mark. In the NHL, that’s the "mushy middle." It’s a dangerous place to be. You’re not quite bad enough for a top-three draft pick, but you’re not quite good enough to feel safe in a playoff spot.
What to Look for in the Next Matchup
The season series is currently split. Anaheim took the first meeting back in November with a 4-1 win of their own, led by Beckett Sennecke’s first multi-point game. Then Jersey took the December game 4-1.
Basically, whoever plays at home seems to have the upper hand. If these two meet again, watch the goaltending battle. Lukas Dostal is the future in Anaheim, but he needs more help from his defensemen. Radko Gudas can only block so many shots before the dam breaks.
For the Devils, health is the X-factor. If Jack Hughes and Simon Nemec are in the lineup, they are a completely different animal. Without them, they’re a gritty, middle-of-the-pack team that relies on Jake Allen to stand on his head.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils dynamic for the remainder of the 2026 season, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Power Play: Anaheim's man-advantage has been streaky. If they can’t convert at a 20% clip, they struggle to win games where they are outshot.
- Monitor the Injury Report: With Vatrano out for Anaheim and the Devils dealing with various upper-body issues, roster depth is being tested. Look at who they call up from San Diego (AHL) or Utica (AHL).
- The Olympic Factor: With the 2026 Winter Games approaching, players like Leo Carlsson and Mikael Granlund will be looking to stay healthy and maintain form. This can sometimes lead to more conservative play or, conversely, a massive surge in motivation.
The next time these jerseys clash, don't just look at the scoreboard. Watch how the Ducks' young defense handles the Devils' forecheck. That's where the game is won or lost.
To get the most out of the next game, track the "High-Danger Chances" stat. In their last meeting, the Devils dominated the inner slot. If Anaheim wants to flip the script, they have to protect the "house" better than they did in Newark.