Sharks vs Devils: Eastern Conference showdown at Prudential Center on October 24, 2025

The San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils are set to clash at Prudential Center on October 24, 2025, in what promises to be a compelling matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions. The Devils enter this contest riding a six-game winning streak with an impressive 6-1-0 record, while the Sharks are desperately seeking consistency after finally securing their first victory of the season against the Rangers. With puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, this Eastern Conference showdown features intriguing storylines on both sides, from the Devils’ dominant start to the emergence of San Jose’s young phenom Macklin Celebrini.

This game represents the third stop on the Sharks’ challenging Eastern road trip, and coach Ryan Warsofsky will need his squad to build on the momentum from their thrilling 6-5 overtime victory in New York. Meanwhile, New Jersey looks to extend their franchise-best start to the season, with Jake Allen expected to make his fourth start in five games as the Devils navigate through their own injury challenges. Both teams will deploy intriguing lineup combinations that could significantly impact the game’s outcome.

San Jose Sharks projected lineup for October 24, 2025 matchup

The Sharks will roll out a forward group that showcases their commitment to youth development while maintaining veteran stability. The top line features Tyler Toffoli alongside rookies Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, a combination that has shown flashes of brilliance despite the team’s early struggles. Celebrini, fresh off his five-point performance against the Rangers that included a hat trick and the overtime winner, continues to demonstrate why he was the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

The second line pairs Jeff Skinner with Alexander Wennberg and William Eklund, providing a blend of scoring touch and playmaking ability. Skinner brings NHL experience and a proven scoring pedigree, while Eklund has emerged as one of San Jose’s most consistent two-way threats. This combination aims to provide secondary scoring that has been elusive during the Sharks’ 1-4-2 start to the season.

San Jose’s bottom six features intriguing depth with Collin Graf centering Philipp Kurashev and Adam Gaudette on the third line, while Barclay Goodrow, Ty Dellandrea, and Ryan Reaves form the fourth unit. Reaves brings a physical presence that was on full display when he dropped the gloves with Matt Rempe in the Rangers game, providing the spark and energy that helped ignite the comeback victory.

On the blue line, Mario Ferraro will partner with Vincent Iorio on the top pairing, while Dmitry Orlov teams up with Timothy Liljegren on the second unit. Sam Dickinson, another highly-touted prospect, will anchor the third pair alongside Vincent Desharnais. The defense corps faces significant challenges with injuries to Nick Leddy (upper body), John Klingberg (lower body), and Shakir Mukhamadullin (upper body), forcing Warsofsky to rely heavily on younger players and recent acquisitions.

Between the pipes, Yaroslav Askarov gets the starting nod after Alex Nedeljkovic’s 23-save performance against the Rangers. Askarov, acquired in a blockbuster trade with Nashville, represents the future in net for San Jose and will look to build on his early-season performances against a high-powered Devils offense. According to NHL.com’s official game preview, Michael Misa will be scratched for what the team calls “a planned development day,” demonstrating the organization’s careful approach to their young talent.

New Jersey Devils projected lineup for October 24, 2025 clash

The Devils will deploy their potent offensive attack led by the dynamic top line of Ondrej Palat, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt. Hughes, one of the league’s elite playmakers, has been instrumental in New Jersey’s 6-1-0 start, orchestrating the attack with his exceptional vision and skating ability. Bratt continues to establish himself as one of the NHL’s most underrated wingers, while Palat provides veteran stability and two-way reliability.

New Jersey’s second line features Timo Meier alongside captain Nico Hischier and Arseny Gritsyuk, creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Meier’s power-forward style complements Hischier’s complete game, while Gritsyuk, a newcomer to the Devils’ lineup, has quickly made an impact with his offensive creativity. This combination provides coach Sheldon Keefe with multiple weapons to deploy in various situations.

The third line of Paul Cotter, Dawson Mercer, and Connor Brown offers scoring depth that has been crucial to New Jersey’s early success. Mercer, in particular, has taken significant strides in his development and provides reliable two-way play. The fourth line features Stefan Noesen centering Luke Glendening and Brian Halonen, a unit that brings energy, defensive responsibility, and timely offensive contributions.

New Jersey’s defensive corps is headlined by the pairing of Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce, combining youth and experience effectively. Hughes, the younger brother of Jack, has emerged as a dynamic offensive threat from the blue line while improving his defensive game. The second pairing features Jonas Siegenthaler alongside Dougie Hamilton, with the latter providing elite puck-moving abilities and power-play quarterbacking. Brenden Dillon and Simon Nemec round out the third pairing, offering a blend of physicality and developing skill.

Jake Allen will guard the Devils’ net for his fourth start in five games, as the team manages Jacob Markstrom’s lower-body injury. According to The Hockey News, Markstrom participated in Friday’s morning skate and is close to returning, but Keefe will stick with Allen given his solid performances during this winning streak. Nico Daws provides capable backup support as the Devils navigate their injury situation.

Key matchups and injury considerations

The Sharks’ injury report significantly impacts their defensive depth and overall game plan for this matchup. Nick Leddy’s upper-body injury will keep him out for at least two more games, forcing younger defensemen into elevated roles against one of the league’s most dangerous offenses. Coach Warsofsky indicated that Leddy will be re-evaluated upon the team’s return to San Jose, while John Klingberg could potentially return for Sunday’s game against Minnesota.

New Jersey faces its own personnel challenges, with several players sidelined. Cody Glass (upper body) will miss extended time, with Keefe stating it’s “not a day-to-day situation” and hoping for a return within a couple of weeks. Johnathan Kovacevic, Marc McLoughlin, Evgenii Dadonov (fractured hand), and Zack MacEwen are also unavailable, testing the Devils’ organizational depth during this critical stretch of games.

The center ice battle between Celebrini and Hughes represents one of the most compelling individual matchups. Celebrini’s emergence as an immediate NHL impact player mirrors Hughes’ own trajectory, and their head-to-head competition could determine momentum shifts throughout the game. Both possess elite skating ability, hockey IQ, and playmaking skills that can create offense from seemingly nothing.

Special teams will likely play a decisive role, with New Jersey’s power play operating at an elite level during their winning streak. The Sharks’ penalty kill must remain disciplined against the Devils’ lethal man-advantage unit, which features multiple shooting threats and creative passing options. Conversely, San Jose needs to capitalize on any power-play opportunities to keep pace with New Jersey’s high-scoring attack.

What this game means for both teams moving forward

For the Sharks, this matchup provides an opportunity to prove their Rangers victory wasn’t a one-off performance but rather a turning point in their season. Building consistency remains paramount for a young team undergoing significant transition, and stringing together competitive performances against quality opponents like New Jersey would demonstrate meaningful progress. Celebrini’s continued development and the integration of players like Askarov into prominent roles will be critical factors as San Jose works toward respectability in a rebuilding year.

The Devils seek to maintain their perfect home record and extend what has been a franchise-best start to the season. Their balanced attack, improved defensive play, and strong goaltending have positioned them as legitimate Metropolitan Division contenders. However, avoiding complacency against struggling opponents remains essential, as trap games can derail even the most promising starts. New Jersey’s depth will be tested with their injury situation, making contributions from players like Gritsyuk and the defensive rotations increasingly important.

This Eastern Conference clash between the rebuilding Sharks and the contending Devils highlights the cyclical nature of NHL success. While the records suggest a mismatch on paper, hockey rarely follows the script, especially when a young, hungry team faces an opponent riding high on confidence. The Sharks will need Askarov to be sharp, their young stars to continue their development, and their veterans to provide steady leadership. Meanwhile, the Devils must avoid overlooking an opponent that just demonstrated its capability for explosive offense and will deploy Jake Allen’s recent strong play to maintain their winning ways at Prudential Center.