New Jersey
Bright Spots from a Disappointing New Jersey Devils Season
The 2025-26 New Jersey Devils season will be another forgettable one in the team’s history.
With playoff aspirations and the hope of a deeper run than anything in the last decade, the team couldn’t build any consistency and as a result will miss the postseason again. Tom Fitzgerald was even let go as GM and President of Hockey Operations with part of the season still to be played due to his role in creating this mess. While the hope is that the team can turn things around with just some minor adjustments, the unfortunate fact is that until the games are played we simply don’t know how the 2026-27 Devils will be. They could look amazing on paper and be as bad as this year; conversely, they could look meh on paper and put together an amazing year.
While there will be plenty of time to forecast how 2026-27 will go, there were some things that went right in 2025-26. Today, I want to briefly acknowledge those things as well as how the Devils can build upon them to find more success next season.
Firstly, Jack Hughes was incredible after returning from the Olympics. His play from scoring the Golden Goal and beyond made it apparent that he was playing hurt upon returning from his freak dinner injury. 41 of his 77 points came in his final 25 contests. He was a point per game in the first 36 appearances, but played at a near 135 point (across 82 games) pace after the season resumed. He finished the season leading the team in points despite missing 21 games. It all goes to show how dangerous a healthy Jack is and how much the Devils need him to be healthy and in the lineup. Next season, do whatever it takes to keep him healthy. Bubble wrap him at team dinners, or when he’s not on the ice, whatever it takes.
Next, I think Cody Glass should be acknowledged for having a strong season. Glass went through a weird situation this past summer where it was rumored the Devils wouldn’t extend him a qualifying offer, but wound up doing so and re-signed him on the second day of free agency. As a fixture of the Bottom Six, Glass provided the desired secondary offense, potting 19 goals in 70 contests, good for sixth on the team. For a guy who spent majority of the season on the third or fourth line while not necessarily having the best line mates, Glass came and did what the team needed him to do. For next season, keep him with Arseny Gritsyuk (and maybe Lenni Hameenaho if he can take a step forward developmentally) and see if a talented player (or two) being with him consistently helps to keep his offense flowing.
One last positive for today: while there are probably a couple of other players that could be highlighted (depending upon your opinions and definitions of success) I’m going to go with Jake Allen. In a season where team goaltending was bad, Allen at least gave the Devils a chance to win for most of his starts. Additionally, with save percentage down across the league, Allen’s .904 was technically above league average. If the Devils got average to slightly above average goaltending nightly, they’re probably a playoff team even with only 3/4 of a season from Jack. Next season, give Jake more than half of the games, especially if Jacob Markstrom continues to rock below average numbers. He’s obviously not a long term solution, but if the Devils can’t adjust their goaltending situation (highly unlikely that they can) they need to play the guy with better numbers more often than the guy with the higher salary.
2025-26 has mercifully drawn to a close. For the Devils organization once they figure out their management situation, they need to build around the positives. If these three keep performing as they did, and others on the team rebound, 2026-27 can be a whole lot better. Once again, it will all depends on what is done to adjust the failings and then getting out on the ice next season and playing the games.
What are your thoughts on any positives from this Devils season? Were you happy with the play of Jack, Glass and/or Allen? Does the disappointing result of the season overall wipe away any positives for you? Is there a bigger positive that you feel i missed, keeping in mind that I technically mentioned that Fitz got canned? Leave any and all comments down below and thanks as always for reading!
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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