Canucks Edge Devils in Close Matchup

In an exciting NHL matchup, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the New Jersey Devils 2-1 at the Prudential Center on December 14, 2025. This victory allowed the Canucks to extend their lead in the series against the Devils, now holding a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head meetings this season.

The Canucks opened the scoring in the first period with a goal from Jake DeBrusk, who found the net with a wrist shot, assisted by Conor Garland and Zeev Buium. Just moments later, Buium himself scored another goal, also a wrist shot, increasing Vancouver's lead to 2-0. The Devils managed to respond in the second period with a goal from Luke Hughes, who scored with an assist from Jesper Bratt and Dawson Mercer, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

In terms of recent form, the New Jersey Devils have struggled, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, including a recent win against the Anaheim Ducks. They have averaged 2.7 goals scored and 3.4 goals allowed during this stretch. At home, their record stands at 2-5, while they have performed slightly better away with a record of 2-1. The Devils' last five games show a record of 2-3, with an average of 2.6 goals scored and 3.8 allowed.

On the other hand, the Vancouver Canucks have had a challenging season as well, with a record of 2-8 in their last ten games. They have averaged only 2.0 goals scored and 3.4 goals allowed. Their away record is particularly poor at 1-3, with their last five games yielding just one win and an average of 1.6 goals scored and 3.2 allowed.

In terms of injuries, the Devils were without several key players, including Arseny Gritsyuk, Jonas Siegenthaler, Luke Hughes, and Stefan Noesen, all of whom were unable to participate due to various injuries. The Canucks also faced significant absences, with Thatcher Demko and Evander Kane both out due to injuries, alongside Derek Forbort, who is on injured reserve.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Devils as slight favorites at -125, with a spread of -1.5 and a total set at 5.5. The odds for the over were -122, while the under was at 102. The Canucks were listed at +105 on the money line.

The game took place under standard NHL conditions, with both teams looking to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Fans watching the game were advised to pay attention to the performance of the goalies and the effectiveness of the power plays, as both teams have struggled with consistency in those areas throughout the season.

Overall, the matchup highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by both teams this season, with the Canucks managing to secure a crucial win on the road against a struggling Devils squad.