The New Jersey Devils are looking to maintain their dominant form as they travel to face the San Jose Sharks on October 30, 2025, at the SAP Center. After opening the season with an impressive 8-2-0 record, the Devils suffered their second loss against Colorado but remain one of the hottest teams in the NHL. The Sharks, struggling at 2-6-2, will need to find answers against a Devils squad that already defeated them earlier in the season. With puck drop scheduled for 10:00 PM EST, both teams have revealed their expected lineups for this crucial matchup.
The Sharks vs Devils showdown from October 24, 2025 saw New Jersey emerge victorious 3-1 at Prudential Center, and the Devils will be looking to sweep the season series with another strong performance on the road. The Sharks, meanwhile, are desperate for points as they continue to develop their young core led by rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini.
Devils vs Sharks projected lineup October 30 2025: New Jersey’s forward combinations
The Devils will ice a potent forward group despite dealing with several injury absences. The top line features Ondrej Palat, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt, a combination that has proven lethal throughout the early season. Hughes enters the contest with an outstanding 9 goals and 5 assists through 10 games, establishing himself as an early Hart Trophy candidate. His chemistry with Bratt, who has tallied 4 goals and 8 assists, gives New Jersey one of the most dangerous first lines in the league.
The second line brings together Timo Meier, captain Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer. Meier’s familiarity with the Sharks organization adds an interesting subplot to this matchup, as the power forward spent several seasons in San Jose before being traded to New Jersey. Hischier provides two-way excellence down the middle, while Mercer continues to develop into a reliable top-six contributor. This line’s combination of skill and physicality gives the Devils depth that most teams struggle to match.
New Jersey’s third line will feature Arseny Gritsyuk, Juho Lammikko, and Connor Brown. This unit provides a solid checking presence while maintaining offensive capability. Brown, in particular, has embraced his role after signing with the Devils and brings veteran experience to the bottom six. The fourth line of Paul Cotter, Luke Glendening, and Stefan Noesen rounds out a forward group that can roll four lines effectively. Noesen’s energy and Glendening’s faceoff prowess provide valuable depth elements that have contributed to the Devils’ strong start.
The Devils will be without several key forwards including Cody Glass, Evgenii Dadonov, and Zack MacEwen, all sidelined with various injuries. Despite these absences, New Jersey’s forward depth has allowed them to maintain their offensive production. The team’s 52 total man-games lost to injury this season hasn’t slowed their momentum, a testament to their organizational depth and the performance of players stepping into expanded roles.
Devils vs Sharks projected lineup October 30 2025: San Jose’s offensive setup
The Sharks counter with an intriguing top line featuring Tyler Toffoli, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith. Celebrini has been nothing short of sensational in his rookie campaign, recording 6 goals and 10 assists through 10 games. The first overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft has exceeded even lofty expectations, showing elite vision and hockey IQ beyond his years. Paired with fellow young star Will Smith, San Jose’s future appears bright despite their current struggles.
William Eklund, Alexander Wennberg, and Philipp Kurashev form the Sharks’ second line. Eklund has emerged as one of San Jose’s most consistent performers with 4 goals and 6 assists, displaying the two-way ability that made him a top-10 pick. According to the official NHL game preview, Wennberg provides veteran stability at center, while Kurashev adds offensive creativity from the wing position.
The third line features Collin Graf, Ty Dellandrea, and Jeff Skinner. Skinner, despite being in the twilight of his career, still possesses the scoring touch that made him a perennial 30-goal scorer earlier in his career. Graf and Dellandrea provide complementary styles that aim to create scoring chances through speed and forechecking pressure. The fourth line of Barclay Goodrow, Patrick Giles, and Ryan Reaves brings a physical, grinding presence. Giles will make his season debut after being recalled from the AHL, adding fresh legs to the lineup.
San Jose’s forward group shows promise for the future but lacks the depth and experience of their opponents. The Sharks are missing Adam Gaudette to injury, which further depletes their forward options. However, the development of Celebrini and Smith remains the primary focus for this organization as they continue their rebuild. The young duo’s chemistry has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult start to the season.
Devils vs Sharks projected lineup October 30 2025: Defensive pairings and strategies
New Jersey’s blue line will be anchored by Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton on the top pair. Hamilton, one of the league’s premier offensive defensemen, quarterbacks the power play and contributes significantly to the Devils’ transition game. Siegenthaler provides the defensive reliability and physical presence that allows Hamilton freedom to jump into the rush. This partnership has been crucial to New Jersey’s success, combining shutdown defense with offensive creativity.
The second pairing features Brenden Dillon and Simon Nemec. Nemec, a former first-round pick, continues to develop into a reliable two-way defender who can move the puck effectively. Dillon brings veteran presence and physical play, protecting his younger partner while providing stability in the defensive zone. The third pairing of Luke Hughes and Seamus Casey showcases New Jersey’s defensive depth, with both young players gaining valuable NHL experience.
The Devils are dealing with significant injuries on defense, most notably losing Brett Pesce to an upper-body injury on October 26. Pesce’s absence is a substantial blow to New Jersey’s defensive depth, as he provided top-four minutes and penalty-killing expertise. Johnathan Kovacevic also remains out with a lower-body issue, forcing the Devils to rely on younger players like Casey to step up in expanded roles.
San Jose’s defensive corps will be led by Dmitry Orlov and Timothy Liljegren on the top pair. Orlov brings championship experience from his time with Washington and provides steady two-way play. Liljegren, acquired from Toronto, is looking to establish himself as a top-four defender with increased opportunity in San Jose. The second pairing of Mario Ferraro and John Klingberg combines Ferraro’s speed and defensive acumen with Klingberg’s offensive instincts.
The Sharks’ third pairing features rookie Sam Dickinson and the returning Shakir Mukhamadullin. Mukhamadullin was activated from injured reserve and will play his first game since October 9, having missed seven games with an upper-body injury. His return provides depth to a defensive group that has struggled to prevent quality scoring chances. Nick Leddy remains out with an upper-body injury, limiting San Jose’s defensive options.
Devils vs Sharks projected lineup October 30 2025: Goaltending matchups and expectations
Jake Allen is expected to start in goal for New Jersey, providing a reliable presence between the pipes. Allen has been solid when called upon this season, and his experience makes him a trusted option for head coach Travis Green. However, questions continue to swirl around Jacob Markstrom, who has struggled since his offseason acquisition from Calgary. The Devils invested significant assets to acquire Markstrom as their starting goaltender, but his recent performance against Colorado raised concerns about his form.
Markstrom’s difficulties have created an unexpected goaltending situation for the Devils. Allen has seized the opportunity to prove he can be more than just a backup, delivering steady performances when given the starting assignment. This game represents another chance for Allen to solidify his status as a reliable option while Markstrom works through his early-season struggles. The goaltending tandem’s performance will be crucial as New Jersey navigates their challenging West Coast road trip.
For San Jose, Alex Nedeljkovic is projected to start against his former Metropolitan Division rival. Nedeljkovic has faced a heavy workload this season as the Sharks have leaned on him while managing Yaroslav Askarov’s development. The goaltending situation in San Jose centers on integrating Askarov, their prized goaltending prospect, while maintaining competitive performances. Nedeljkovic’s experience and consistency make him the likely starter for this crucial home game.
Askarov, acquired in a blockbuster trade from Nashville, represents the Sharks’ long-term solution in net. However, the organization is taking a measured approach to his development, ensuring he receives proper support while adjusting to increased NHL responsibilities. Nedeljkovic’s veteran presence allows San Jose to bring Askarov along gradually without rushing his progression. This game could feature Nedeljkovic trying to steal points against a Devils team that has scored 38 goals in 10 games this season.
Devils vs Sharks projected lineup October 30 2025: Key storylines and tactical considerations
The Devils enter this matchup looking to rebound from their first regulation loss since opening night. Their 7-4 defeat to Colorado snapped an eight-game winning streak and exposed some defensive vulnerabilities that San Jose might look to exploit. However, New Jersey’s offensive firepower remains formidable, with multiple lines capable of generating scoring chances. The team’s depth has been a defining characteristic of their strong start, and role players have consistently stepped up when needed.
San Jose faces a critical juncture in their season. At 2-6-2 with a disappointing 0-3-2 home record, the Sharks desperately need to find ways to win games at SAP Center. The development of Celebrini and Smith provides optimism for the future, but the team must also compete in the present. This game against an elite opponent offers an opportunity to measure their progress and potentially build momentum for the remainder of the season.
The matchup features contrasting styles and objectives. New Jersey brings a veteran-laden roster supplemented by emerging young stars, all focused on competing for a Stanley Cup. San Jose embraces their rebuilding phase while showcasing exciting young talent that could form the core of a future contender. The Devils’ experience and depth should give them a significant advantage, but the Sharks’ youth and speed could create problems in transition.
Special teams could play a decisive role in this contest. The Devils have shown proficiency on the power play, particularly with Hamilton quarterbacking the top unit and Hughes providing dynamic playmaking ability. San Jose’s penalty kill will be tested against one of the league’s more dangerous power plays. Conversely, the Sharks will look to capitalize on any Devils infractions, with Celebrini and Smith showing creativity with the man advantage. The team that wins the special teams battle will likely control the game’s output.
Both teams enter the devils vs sharks projected lineup October 30 2025 matchup with clear objectives and distinct roster constructions. New Jersey aims to maintain their position among the NHL’s elite teams despite mounting injuries, while San Jose seeks to develop their young stars and find ways to collect points in a challenging season. The projected lineups showcase the Devils’ depth and experience against the Sharks’ exciting youth and potential. As the puck drops at 10:00 PM EST, fans can expect an intriguing clash of styles that will test both teams’ strengths and expose their weaknesses.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.