On a chilly evening at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the New Jersey Devils faced off against the Detroit Red Wings on April 16, 2025, in what turned out to be a crucial match for both teams as they wrapped up their regular season. Despite the return of defenseman Dougie Hamilton after a lengthy absence due to injury, the Devils fell short, succumbing to the Red Wings with a final score of 5-2.
The night kicked off with high hopes for the Devils, who were looking to gain momentum heading into the playoffs. Hamilton, who had been sidelined since March 4, 2025, due to a lower-body injury, made his much-anticipated comeback. He logged an impressive 23 minutes and 42 seconds on the ice, the second-highest among Devils players, but finished the night with a minus-1 rating.
The Red Wings, who have been struggling throughout the season, were eager to end on a high note. They opened the scoring with a goal from Jonatan Berggren, who found the back of the net with just 2:53 left in the first period. The goal came after a fortunate bounce, as a pass intended for Simon Edvinsson deflected off his skate and straight to Berggren, who capitalized with a shot under the stick arm of Devils goalie Nico Daws.
Detroit continued to build their lead in the second period when J.T. Compher scored at the 5:20 mark. A clearing attempt from Jeff Petry inadvertently hit Michael Rasmussen’s stick, allowing Compher to skate in and fire a shot over Daws’ glove, extending the Red Wings’ lead to 2-0.
As the third period commenced, the Red Wings struck again. Dylan Larkin, the team’s star forward, netted his 30th goal of the season just 2 minutes and 55 seconds into the period, showcasing his skill as he beat Daws from the slot. At this point, the Devils found themselves in a 3-0 hole, and their chances of a comeback seemed slim.
However, the Devils were not ready to concede just yet. Erik Haula ignited a flicker of hope for New Jersey when he redirected a shot from Daniel Sprong for a power play goal at the 8:28 mark. Just over three minutes later, Dawson Mercer pulled the Devils within one, scoring off a rebound from a wraparound attempt by Haula with 5:39 remaining in the game. Suddenly, the Prudential Center buzzed with the possibility of an exciting finish.
Despite their valiant effort, the Red Wings quickly snuffed out the Devils’ hopes for a dramatic comeback. Alex DeBrincat scored during a 4-on-4 sequence at the 17:09 mark, pushing the lead back to two goals. Marco Kasper then sealed the game with an empty-netter in the final moments, firmly establishing the Red Wings’ 5-2 victory.
With the loss, the Devils ended their regular season on a disappointing note, having lost four of their last five games. They finished third in the Metropolitan Division, with a record of 42-33-7, and will face the second-place Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals this weekend. Meanwhile, the Red Wings, despite their victory, will miss the playoffs for a franchise-record ninth consecutive season, ending their campaign with a record of 39-35-7.
As the season wraps up, both teams head in different directions. The Devils will look to regroup and find their stride as they enter the postseason, while the Red Wings will reflect on a season filled with challenges, hoping to build on their recent successes as they prepare for next year.
