Devils vs Blackhawks projected lineup and preview for November 12, 2025

The New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks are set to clash at the United Center on November 12, 2025, in what promises to be an intriguing matchup between two teams heading in different directions. The Devils enter with an impressive 11-4-1 record, sitting atop the Metropolitan Division, while the surging Blackhawks have won three straight games and hold an 8-5-3 record. With puck drop scheduled for an unusual 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT, both teams will roll out lineups that feature a mix of star power and strategic adjustments to deal with injuries.

This game marks the beginning of a crucial four-game homestand for Chicago after an extended road trip, while New Jersey looks to shake off recent inconsistency. Both squads are dealing with significant injury concerns that will shape their projected lineups, particularly the Blackhawks, who are down to just 11 healthy forwards. The matchup features two of the league’s most electrifying young centers in Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes, setting the stage for an exciting offensive showcase.

Devils vs Blackhawks projected lineup details for November 12, 2025

The Devils will feature Arseny Gritsyuk on the top line alongside Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer, a configuration that carried over from their 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders on Monday. This adjustment moves Stefan Noesen down the lineup, reflecting head coach Sheldon Keefe’s desire to generate more offensive production. Gritsyuk has shown chemistry with Hughes in limited ice time and earned the promotion through consistent play.

New Jersey’s second line remains intact with Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt, a trio that has been productive all season. Bratt currently sits second on the team with 16 points, while Hischier continues to provide two-way excellence. The chemistry among these three has been one of the Devils’ most reliable features through their first 16 games.

The bottom six features Ondrej Palat centering Cody Glass and Noesen on the third line, with Paul Cotter, Luke Glendening, and Zack MacEwen rounding out the fourth. This depth configuration gives New Jersey a solid defensive foundation, particularly with the responsible Glendening anchoring the bottom unit. Juho Lammikko will be a healthy scratch.

In the Devils vs Blackhawks projected lineup for November 12, 2025, New Jersey’s defensive corps is significantly impacted by injuries. Jonas Siegenthaler and Simon Nemec form the top pairing, while Brenden Dillon partners with Luke Hughes on the second unit. Dennis Cholowski and Colton White comprise the third pairing, a far cry from the team’s preferred defensive structure. The Devils are missing key defensemen Dougie Hamilton (lower body), Brett Pesce (hand), and Johnathan Kovacevic (lower body), forcing them to rely on depth pieces.

Jacob Markstrom is expected to start in goal after Jake Allen took the loss against the Islanders. Markstrom has been solid this season, and his presence gives New Jersey confidence heading into a challenging road environment. Allen will serve as the backup, ready to step in if needed on this five-game road trip that begins in Chicago.

Blackhawks’ lineup adjustments against New Jersey

Chicago faces its own personnel challenges, particularly up front. Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard, and Andre Burakovsky are projected to form the top line, though Burakovsky’s status remained uncertain after missing the morning skate with an undisclosed injury. If Burakovsky cannot play, Landon Slaggert will be recalled from Rockford of the AHL to fill the roster spot. This trio has been absolutely lethal in recent games, combining for multiple points in Chicago’s three-game winning streak.

The second line features Teuvo Teravainen centering Ryan Greene and Colton Dach, with Ilya Mikheyev likely on the wing. This unit provides secondary scoring depth that has been crucial to the Blackhawks’ success. Teravainen brings experience and playmaking ability, while Greene has shown surprising offensive instincts as a call-up.

Chicago’s bottom six is where things get interesting in the Devils vs Blackhawks projected lineup for November 12, 2025. With Frank Nazar (lower body) and Jason Dickinson (upper body) both sidelined, head coach Jeff Blashill will likely deploy only 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Ryan Donato and Oliver Moore are expected to form a makeshift line, with Nick Foligno and Sam Lafferty comprising another unit. This configuration gives the Blackhawks flexibility to manage ice time throughout the game.

The defensive corps features Alex Vlasic paired with Sam Rinzel on the top unit, a pairing that has provided steady play. Matt Grzelcyk joins Connor Murphy on the second pairing, bringing veteran savvy to the mix. The third pairing of Wyatt Kaiser and Artyom Levshunov showcases two of Chicago’s promising young defenders, with Levshunov riding a three-game point streak. Louis Crevier will dress as the seventh defenseman.

Spencer Knight is projected to start in goal, coming off a spectacular 45-save performance against Detroit and a shutout against Calgary last week. The 24-year-old has been exceptional since joining the Blackhawks, posting a 6-3-2 record with a 2.50 GAA and .926 save percentage. Arvid Soderblom will back him up after getting the nod in the previous game.

Key matchups and offensive firepower on display

The center ice battle between Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes is the headline attraction. Bedard enters riding an eight-game point streak, with 18 points during that span including seven goals and 11 assists. He currently leads the Blackhawks with 25 points and has elevated his game to superstar levels. His recent four-point performance against Calgary showcased his ability to dominate in all situations.

Hughes, meanwhile, leads the Devils with 10 goals and 18 points through 16 games. He’s been the driving force behind New Jersey’s strong start, though the team has cooled slightly with a 3-3-1 record over their last seven games. The matchup between these two dynamic playmakers could ultimately decide the outcome, as both possess game-breaking ability.

Tyler Bertuzzi presents another intriguing storyline, as he enters the game with six goals over his last three contests and points in 10 of his last 11 matchups against New Jersey. His chemistry with Bedard has been outstanding, and his ability to finish around the net gives Chicago a legitimate scoring threat on every shift. Bertuzzi’s physical play also adds an element that can disrupt New Jersey’s skilled forwards.

For the Devils, the secondary scoring from players like Dawson Mercer (15 points) and Jesper Bratt (16 points) will be crucial. Similar to how the Devils vs Avalanche matchup earlier this season tested their depth, this game against a hot Blackhawks team will require contributions throughout the lineup. New Jersey’s power play, operating at 25.6%, ranks sixth in the NHL and could be the difference-maker if Chicago’s penalty kill falters.

Special teams battle and tactical considerations

Both teams boast impressive special teams units that could swing momentum. The Blackhawks’ power play is clicking at 25.5%, good for seventh in the league, and was a perfect 3-for-3 in the win over Detroit. With Bedard running the point and Bertuzzi providing a net-front presence, Chicago’s man-advantage unit has become a legitimate weapon. The Devils will need discipline to avoid giving the Blackhawks opportunities.

New Jersey’s penalty kill operates at an 85.7% success rate, fifth-best in the NHL, while Chicago’s PK sits at 83.9%, ranking eighth. These strong defensive special teams units suggest that scoring with the extra man won’t come easily. The Blackhawks went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill against Detroit, demonstrating their commitment to defensive zone structure and shot blocking.

According to recent reports, the Devils’ injury situation on defense could create problems against Chicago’s speed. With Hamilton, Pesce, and Kovacevic all out, New Jersey lacks its usual defensive depth and mobility. The Blackhawks should look to exploit this weakness by generating odd-man rushes and testing the Devils’ bottom defensive pairings.

Five-on-five possession metrics favor both teams relatively equally. Chicago averages 3.31 goals per game (ninth in the NHL), matching New Jersey’s output exactly. However, the Devils allow 2.94 goals per game compared to Chicago’s league-leading 2.50. This defensive disparity could be significant, especially with Knight playing at an elite level recently. The goaltending matchup might ultimately tilt in Chicago’s favor if both Markstrom and Knight play to their capabilities.

Injury impact on the Devils vs Blackhawks projected lineup November 12, 2025

The injury lists for both teams significantly impact their strategic approaches. New Jersey is without six players, including key contributors like Connor Brown (upper body), Evgenii Dadonov (fractured hand), and Marc McLaughlin (upper body) up front. The defensive injuries are even more concerning, as Hamilton and Pesce are both top-four defenders whose absence forces players like Cholowski and White into elevated roles.

Chicago’s forward injuries to Nazar and Dickinson force Blashill into an 11-forward, seven-defenseman setup for the 15th time this season. This configuration has worked well for the Blackhawks, who have embraced rolling seven defenders as a tactical advantage. It allows them to keep legs fresh and provides additional size and defensive structure. However, it does put pressure on the forward group to play efficiently with shortened bench depth.

Laurent Brossoit remains out with a hip injury for Chicago, but the tandem of Knight and Soderblom has more than adequately filled the void. Knight’s recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, and his confidence appears to be at an all-time high. If he continues this form, like we saw in the Devils vs Ducks matchup, goaltending could be the determining factor.

For New Jersey, the return to health of their defensive corps cannot come soon enough. Playing Cholowski and White in regular roles against a team as skilled as Chicago is a risky proposition. The Devils will need their top four defenders—Siegenthaler, Nemec, Dillon, and Luke Hughes—to play heavy minutes and insulate the third pairing. Any prolonged shifts in the defensive zone could lead to quality chances for Bedard and company.

The forward depth for both teams, while compromised by injuries, still offers enough talent to create offensive opportunities. Chicago’s ability to roll 11 forwards efficiently will be tested over 60 minutes, particularly if the game goes to overtime. New Jersey has more forward depth available, which could become an advantage in the third period as fatigue sets in.

Goaltending excellence takes center stage

Spencer Knight has emerged as one of the early-season stories in the NHL. Acquired from Florida in the offseason, Knight has thrived with the Blackhawks, posting a .926 save percentage and recording his first shutout with the team against Calgary. His 45-save performance against Detroit was a career-high and demonstrated his ability to steal games when needed. Knight is 6-3-2 through 11 starts and has established himself as Chicago’s clear number-one netminder.

His career numbers against New Jersey are respectable: 3-3-0 with a 2.82 GAA and .901 save percentage in six appearances. However, his current form suggests those historical numbers may not be indicative of what he’ll bring to this matchup. Knight’s athleticism and ability to track the puck through traffic will be tested against New Jersey’s skilled forwards, particularly Hughes and Bratt who excel at creating lateral movement and deception.

On the other side, Jake Allen is projected to get the start for New Jersey, giving Jacob Markstrom a rest early in this lengthy road trip. Allen has been excellent this season with a 6-2-0 record, 2.29 GAA, and .914 save percentage. His veteran presence and familiarity with Chicago—12-7-4 career record with a 2.35 GAA and .922 save percentage in 23 appearances—gives the Devils confidence.

According to Chicago Hockey Now’s pregame coverage, the goaltending matchup between Knight and Allen could be the ultimate deciding factor. Both netminders have played at high levels this season, and neither team possesses a significant advantage in expected goals or shot quality. A single breakdown or moment of brilliance from either goalie could swing the result.

What this game means for both teams’ trajectories

For the Blackhawks, this home game represents an opportunity to extend their winning streak to four games and build on the momentum generated during their successful road trip. Sitting at 8-5-3 with 19 points, Chicago has exceeded early-season expectations and is firmly in the playoff conversation. A win against a top Eastern Conference team would validate their progress and send a message that they&#039re legitimate contenders.

The homestand ahead is critical for the Blackhawks’ development. Playing all but one of their remaining November games at the United Center gives them a chance to bank points and establish a comfortable playoff position before the schedule toughens. With Bedard playing at an MVP level and Knight providing elite goaltending, Chicago has the pieces to make noise in the Western Conference.

New Jersey needs to halt its recent slide and rediscover the form that produced eight wins in the first nine games. At 11-4-1, the Devils still lead the Metropolitan Division, but Carolina is breathing down their neck. This five-game road trip will define whether New Jersey is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender or a team that got off to a hot start but lacks the depth to sustain success.

The Devils’ injury situation on defense is concerning, but championship teams find ways to win despite adversity. If New Jersey can navigate this road trip with a winning record while integrating depth players, it will pay dividends when Hamilton, Pesce, and others return to health. The question is whether the current roster construction can hold up against quality opponents like Chicago.

Both teams feature exciting young talent, elite goaltending, and strong special teams. The Devils vs Blackhawks projected lineup for November 12, 2025, showcases two franchises at different stages of development but equally dangerous on any given night. This nationally televised matchup should provide plenty of highlight-reel moments and could serve as a statement game for whichever team emerges victorious at the United Center.