A quirk of the New Jersey Devils’ season has been that, until tonight, they had not lost a game in which they scored a goal since October 25th, a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. The four losses they suffered in that span were all shutout defeats. That roughly month-long streak ended tonight, as the Devils fell to the Washington Capitals 6-4 in a sloppy, uneven game.
Over this recent stretch of games, we have lamented the slow starts New Jersey has gotten off to. I am displeased to report that tonight was yet another slow start. The Devils allowed the other team to score first for the seventh straight game. That marker from Andrew Mangiapane was part of an overall dismal first period for the Devils, who were outshot 17-5 in the opening 20 minutes. According to Natural Stat Trick, New Jersey registered a 5-on-5 Expected Goals For% of 17.43%, a shockingly low number. Nico Hischier did score against the run of play to get his team to the intermission tied, but the only reason Washington didn’t enter the locker room down a goal or two was because Jake Allen had himself a terrific first period.
The second period was a little better of an effort, and it even saw the Devils take the lead on a Justin Dowling redirection goal. Brett Pesce produced the shot that led to the tip-in, which was his first point as a Devil. Congratulations to him.
From there though, the Devils gave up three consecutive power play goals. Yes you read that correctly. New Jersey began the night with the top ranked power play in the entire league, yet it was the Capitals who took advantage of a Devils parade to the penalty box in the second period. Connor McMichael scored on a 4-on-3 during which Johnathan Kovacevic broke his stick and a lucky bounce led to McMichael’s slam dunk goal. Jakob Chychrun fired a laser past Allen off the post and in on the ensuing 5-on-4. Rasmus Sandin found a puck off a mad scramble when nobody else could, and he smacked a shot home to put New Jersey down 4-2. That’s where we ended up heading to the second intermission.
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But if nothing else, this Devils team has shown they are tough to kill. They are the comeback kids, and one night after they overcame a two-goal deficit, they overcame another. Stefan Noesen tapped home a great Jack Hughes feed on a power play to cut the deficit to one. Then shortly after at even strength, Ondrej Palat stole a puck in the Capitals’ zone, fed Hughes who ripped a shot on net, and it banked off Jesper Bratt’s skate and in. All this within the first five minutes of the period, by the way. And the goals did not come against the run of play like Hischier’s in the opening frame. New Jersey found their footing and started battling the Capitals more evenly in the second period (outside the penalties of course). This continued in the third, and they came away with two goals for their troubles.
But unfortunately, the Capitals would strike twice in quick succession late in regulation. Taylor Raddysh redirected a shot home with just over six minutes left to give Washington the lead. Then 10 seconds later (yes, really) Jake Allen lost the puck behind his own net, turned it over to the Capitals, and Pierre-Luc Dubois got the luckiest goal of his life to put Washington ahead 6-4.
Unfortunately, that horrific blunder from Allen would turn out to be the game-winner. With New Jersey on the power play once again very late in the third, Stefan Noesen fought home his second PPG of the game. But the Devils could not find the equalizer and lost by that 6-5 final score.
This was a very frustrating night. The Devils once again failed to start on time, allowing the first goal and getting buried in puck possession. The never-ending run to the penalty box in the second period killed New Jersey, especially considering they were the slightly better team at 5-on-5 over the final 40 minutes of the game. I really can’t point to anyone in particular and say they had a good game. Allen came the closest to me after his amazing first period, but he ended up letting six goals past him, including that absolute dagger on the sixth and deciding goal.
Perhaps Noesen deserves credit for his two power play goals. Jack Hughes had a three-point night, all assists. Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt also had multi-point nights. But the team finished with a 5-on-5 xGF% around 36% per NST, which sounds about right. The Devils did outplay Washington over the final two periods, but not nearly as much as Washington outplayed them in the first. And while I don’t want to use this as an excuse because the Devils were not the better team overall, they really did seem to be on the receiving end of some pretty terrible luck tonight. Bryce Salvador pointed out that Washington got away with a penalty in their own end right before going down the ice on their opening goal. Later, Salvador said that the penalty Jesper Bratt took on Tom Wilson in the first period was, and I quote, “a terrible call”. When Sal is complaining that much, you know there’s something there. Wilson and the Capitals got away with some pretty bad hits and cross checks tonight as well. And of course, the puck luck was in Washington’s favor all night long. Again, the Devils did not lose solely because of bad luck and uneven officiating. But I bring this up to point out that it would be reasonable to say the luck should turn around next game.
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But make no mistake, this was an ugly game. New Jersey is finished with their season series against the Capitals now, and they came away with five of a possible eight points, while Washington got four points themselves. So in the end, the Devils did get the better of the Caps this year. But they laid two eggs at home against them, and while the schedule inexplicably gave us four matchups in the first two months of the season and none the rest of the way, it is very possible we see these two teams clash in a postseason series. And if that happens, the Devils need to clean up a lot of what they did against the Capitals this season. Dust yourself off and move on.
The Game Stats: The NHL.com Game Summary | The NHL.com Event Summary | The NHL.com Play by Play Log | The NHL.com Shot Summary | The Natural Stat Trick Game Stats
The Game Highlights: Courtesy of NHL.com
The One Bright Spot
Ok so maybe I was a little harsh in saying no one deserved credit for having a “good” game tonight. The one unit you can genuinely point to as a positive was the Ondrej Palat-Jack Hughes-Jesper Bratt line. Each of those players finished with a 5-on-5 xGF% in the 60’s. As mentioned, Hughes had three assists, Bratt had a goal and an assist, and Palat even got himself a helper on Bratt’s goal. When nothing else was working for New Jersey, at least the Hughes line won their matchup.
Tracking The Misery
Two things that infuriated all of us a season ago were the Devils allowing the first goal (and getting off to tough starts in general), and the horrendous results in the second half of back-to-backs. A lot went wrong in 2023-24, but those two elements were near the top of the list of things that sunk New Jersey.
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Fast forward to today, and the Devils have now given up the first goal in seven consecutive games. To find the last time New Jersey beat their opponent to the scoreboard, you have to go back to November 14th and their 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. Miraculously the Devils are 4-3-0 in those games, so it hasn’t completely buried them. But it’s still a trend that seemed to be a thing of the past until the last couple of weeks. Please start scoring first again, Devils.
Meanwhile thanks to their loss tonight, New Jersey falls to 1-3-1 in the second half of back-to-backs this season. Their only win under those circumstances came in their very first back-to-back of the year, the season opening pair of contests in Prague against the Buffalo Sabres. So since then the Devils are 0-3-1 and have not won the second half of a back-to-back in almost two months. They don’t even have the excuse of a rest disadvantage, as Washington played yesterday as well.
Looking ahead, the Devils have seven more back-to-backs the rest of the season, meaning a total of 14 more points up for grabs in the latter half of those. The Devils really, really, REALLY need to figure out a way to not let those 14 points slip away, or it could mean another playoff miss.
Next Time Out
The Devils play their first game of the season against their bitter rivals, the New York Rangers, on Monday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Your Take
What did you make of tonight’s game? How frustrated are you with the slow starts and the poor performances in back-to-backs? What do you expect in the first matchup of the season against the Rangers? As always, thanks for reading.
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Conditions worsened by a drought last year, which continues in 2026, had a dramatic impact on wildfires in New Jersey, according to the state’s inaugural wildfire report.
However, of 1,322 wildfires that burned 27,229 acres statewide in 2025, nearly all were caused by humans, according to the report. That includes the massive Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County that took 20 days to contain as the result of a bonfire set by youth.
» READ MORE: N.J.’s biggest fire in more than a decade started in area known for illegal bonfires
The figures represent a 22% increase in the number of wildfires and an eye-popping 116% increase in acreage burned compared with the 20-year average.
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To date in 2026, New Jersey has logged 589 wildfires that burned 648.5 acres.
Overall, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service’s first wildfire report details a historic, challenging, and highly destructive 2025 for the state’s wildlands.
That came after a demanding fall fire season in 2024. Severe blazes in 2025 not only stretched firefighting resources but also forced thousands of residents from their homes.
“Our wildland firefighters responded to an increased number of wildfires and spent weeks at a time battling fires, often under challenging weather conditions,” Bill Donnelly Sr., chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, wrote in the report, which was released Thursday.
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A major wildfire in New Jersey is classified as any blaze reaching or exceeding 100 acres. While the state typically averages 4.75 major fires annually, crews battled nine major wildfires in 2025.
The drought had a big impact as it created tinderboxes in areas such as the Pinelands. Not only did the dryness help spread fires, but it also forced the forest fire service to drastically reduce the amount of acres it intentionally burns in advance.
Firefighters use those prescribed fires, or controlled burns, in strategic areas to reduce dry brush and other vegetation, thus denying future fires fuel.
The drought continues into this June despite some recent heavy downpours. Data from the National Weather Service’s Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center show that Camden County is running a 13-inch rain deficit over the last 12 months.
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» READ MORE: South Jersey heads into another summer already parched under the worst rainfall deficit in 20 years
Residents of the state are living amid a prolonged drought warning — the third of four levels of dryness monitored by officials. Parts of South Jersey have been under a drought warning since fall 2024.
But the biggest issue has been people.
Human activity was responsible for an overwhelming 99.6% of New Jersey’s wildfires in 2025, stemming from both accidental and intentional acts, according to the report.
“Whether through accident, carelessness, or even at times intentional acts, human behavior continues to be the primary driver of wildfire activity in our state,” Donnelly said.
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Equipment use was the leading cause of fires by volume, sparking 486 individual wildfires that collectively burned 527.5 acres. Lawnmowers, weed trimmers, chain saws, welding tools, grinders, and agricultural harvesting machinery can all create sparks that ignite brush.
However, illegal and improperly managed campfires were responsible for the most devastating destruction, scorching a massive 15,263.75 acres statewide.
The largest incident of the year, the Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean and Lacey Townships, burned 14,949 acres and prompted the evacuation of 7,000 people.
Triggered by an illegal bonfire, the massive blaze threatened more than 1,300 structures and forced the closure of major thoroughfares, including the Garden State Parkway and Route 9. It destroyed a commercial building and triggered power outages affecting 30,000 residents.
Other large incidents included the Mines Spung Wildfire in Burlington County, which consumed 6,610 acres and closed portions of the Batona Trail, and the California Branch Wildfire in Camden County, which burned 2,336 acres.
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Firefighters faced increasingly difficult environmental conditions throughout 2025. The report noted a growing trend of prolonged emergency operations, stating that 44% of the major wildfires in 2025 required more than five days to contain due to persistently dry weather.
In response to the escalating wildfire threat, the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget allocated an additional $1 million to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, funding that is expected to be maintained in future budgets. That allowed the addition of six full-time positions.
The remaining $700,000 was used to buy equipment, including a bulldozer and fire engines, and to expand air base operations. The service is also upgrading its communication network by transitioning to a 700 MHz radio system to improve coordination with local and state agencies.
Additionally, the state opened the new Veterans Fire Tower in Jackson Township.
The $2 million, 133-foot structure replaces the decommissioned Lakewood tower and will serve as a vital vantage point to protect nearly 200,000 homes and more than 516,000 residents across Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
Brazil selected the Red Bulls’ new Morris Township complex as its World Cup base
Facility unites Red Bulls first team, academy and Red Bulls II operations
RWJBarnabas Health partnership adds advanced sports medicine resources
Center strengthens NJ’s role in the global soccer landscape
The RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center is more than a training facility. It is where Red Bull New York‘s first team, Red Bulls II and academy system now operate under one roof, creating a centralized hub for player development, performance, recovery and innovation. The complex will also serve as the home-away-from-home for one of the top national teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Officially opened in April, the 80-acre Morris Township campus represents the culmination of a yearslong effort to build an environment capable of supporting every stage of a player’s journey — from academy prospect to first-team player.
The team held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility and provided tours of the newly completed complex, where club officials, healthcare leaders and other key stakeholders described a project designed not only to support today’s players but also to shape the future of the organization.
“The RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center will serve as a centerpiece for the continued growth of the game in our region and across the country,” said Marc de Grandpré, president and general manager of Red Bull New York.
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de Grandpré
For de Grandpré, an NJBIZ Power 100 honoree, the project represents more than a new home for the organization. “This facility brings our entire pathway together, from academy to first team, and creates an environment where players can train, develop, and compete at the highest level every day,” said de Grandpré. “It reinforces our commitment to building from within and developing the next generation of players.”
That sentiment echoed throughout the debut event. While the facility’s scale is immediately apparent, executives repeatedly emphasized that the true value lies not in the buildings or fields themselves, but in what they are designed to produce: healthier athletes, stronger player development and a clearer pathway from the club’s already robust academy system to the professional ranks.
Years in the making
The opening of the performance center marked the completion of a vision Red Bull New York leaders spent years pursuing.
Construction began in 2024 on the Morris Township property, but club officials noted during the ribbon cutting that the effort to identify, secure and develop a permanent home for the organization’s soccer operations stretched back far longer – around a decade.
The project brought together a team that included Gensler Architects, March Construction, The LandTek Group and interior design agency Drive21.
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The RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center sits on 80 acres in Morris Township. – PROVIDED BY RED BULL NEW YORK
The result is an 88,400-square-foot main building spread across two levels and anchored by eight full-size soccer pitches. Six are Kentucky Bluegrass fields grown in New Jersey, one is a Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass field and another is a turf surface. Five of the fields are heated to allow year-round use, while four are illuminated for evening training sessions.
The facility now serves as the permanent home for the club’s first team, Red Bulls II, academy and youth programs.
Main objective
For de Grandpré, bringing the entire organization together was always the objective. “At its core, this facility is about more than infrastructure. It’s about what happens inside – and on these pitches,” he said. “It’s where our first team will prepare to compete at the highest level, where our second team and academy players will develop with a real pathway ahead, and where we will create an environment for people to grow and reach their full potential.”
At its core, this facility is about more than infrastructure. It’s about what happens inside – and on these pitches. – Marc de Grandpré, president and general manager, Red Bull New York
A walk through the campus reveals a complex designed around virtually every aspect of athlete performance (see more in the slideshow above). The building houses multiple gyms serving both professional and academy players, team meeting rooms, educational spaces, dining facilities, medical areas and recovery resources. Dedicated academy spaces include classrooms, study areas and coaching clinic rooms, allowing youth players to balance their athletic development with educational responsibilities.
Nutrition also plays a prominent role. A full-service kitchen was designed to provide high-performance meals for players, while a demonstration kitchen allows chefs and nutrition specialists to provide meal preparation education to both academy and professional athletes.
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High-tech campus
Outside, the fields are equipped with multi-angle camera tracking systems that allow coaches and analysts to monitor performance and support player development.
In full swing
Bookmark this page – and check back often – for NJBIZ’s complete World Cup coverage.
In fact, technology is embedded throughout the campus. The entire property is covered by high-speed Wi-Fi, allowing staff to collect and analyze performance data through platforms such as Kinexon, which tracks player movement and workload, and GameOn, a video analysis platform used by coaches and performance staff.
The recovery resources are equally extensive. The first-team locker room connects directly to hydrotherapy areas that include hot and cold plunge pools, a temperate treatment and physical therapy pool and a sauna. Players throughout the organization have access to resources designed to support preparation, rehabilitation and recovery.
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Taken together, the facility reflects the growing role sports science plays in modern professional athletics. “I can see how impressive this building is, how big the statement is,” said Jürgen Klopp, Red Bull’s head of global soccer. “This is not about the role soccer played in the past in this country, it’s about the role soccer will play in the future.” Klopp is a renowned former player and coach who led Liverpool to English Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.
Under one roof
Throughout the ribbon-cutting ceremony, speakers returned repeatedly to one theme: development. The facility was intentionally designed to bring players at every stage of the Red Bulls pipeline into the same environment.
Academy prospects now train, learn and develop just steps away from professional players. Coaches, analysts, trainers and medical staff operate within the same ecosystem, creating what club officials view as a clearer pathway to the first team.
Red Bull New York cut the ribbon on the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township on April 22. – PROVIDED BY RED BULL NEW YORK
Red Bull New York Head of Sport Julian de Guzman said that connection is critical. “Every player’s journey looks different. It’s our job to create the best environments and scenarios for each of them to grow, to develop into their strengths, to understand that there is a real road from where they are to that first team,” said de Guzman. “This facility is that road.”
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber described the complex as a resource for the next generation of players. “The future of this game and the people here – this is for you,” said Garber while addressing academy players attending the event. “We expect you to win trophies, to represent our country and your countries.”
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Garber then offered perhaps the strongest endorsement of the project delivered during the ceremony. “This building is not just one of the best ones in North America,” said Garber. “This rivals the best development cities of any football soccer club in the world.”
Partnership on display
The facility also stands as the most visible symbol of Red Bull New York’s growing relationship with RWJBarnabas Health. Announced in January, the long-term partnership made RWJBarnabas Health the naming-rights partner of the performance center while also establishing the health system as the official hometown health care system and EMS provider of Sports Illustrated Stadium, Red Bull New York, Red Bulls II, academy programs and youth initiatives.
At the ribbon cutting, RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to performance, innovation and community impact. “This is a partnership built on shared values and common cultures, a belief in innovation and a simple desire to be the very best,” Manigan said.
“This is a partnership built on shared values and common cultures, a belief in innovation and a simple desire to be the very best,” RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan said at the ribbon cutting for the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center. – PROVIDED BY RED BULL NEW YORK
RWJBarnabas Health is not only the naming-rights partner of the performance center but also of the RWJBarnabas Health Athlete Wellness Lab, a 5,000-square-foot gym and recovery space that serves as a focal point for athlete care throughout the facility. Designed for daily recovery, rehabilitation and preventative care, the wellness lab is used by players, athletic trainers, team physicians and performance staff as part of routine preparation and maintenance. The space supports a range of treatment protocols, including manual therapy, soft tissue work, recovery modalities and return-to-play programming.
The performance center also includes a comprehensive medical suite, innovation lab, physiotherapy spaces and wellness resources designed to support injury prevention, rehabilitation and long-term athlete health.
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The RWJBarnabas Health Athlete Wellness Lab is a 5,000-square-foot gym and recovery space that serves as a focal point for athlete care throughout the facility. – PROVIDED BY RED BULL NEW YORK
Additional features include aquatic therapy spaces, fatigue-detection tools, advanced diagnostic resources and orthobiologic capabilities intended to support advanced treatment and clinical care.
Healthy, fueled and well-rested
Manigan argued that top performances begin long before kickoff. “For the Red Bulls, success means winning. And that’s how we at RWJBarnabas Health measure success, too. But here, success isn’t just what occurs on the pitch – it’s all the things that happen before they walk on and after they walk off,” said Manigan.
He added: “Making sure the players are checked and healthy. Making sure they’re properly fueled. Making sure they rest and recover. And, when an injury does happen, making sure they get back out there stronger than before. When you put it all together, the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center is purpose-built for success.”
Manigan described the opening as an exciting milestone. “What began as a shared vision is now a world-class facility that will support elite athlete performance, advance innovation in sports health and serve as a source of pride for community,” said Manigan.
From left: Marc de Grandpré, president and general manager, Red Bull New York, and Mark Manigan, president and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health at the April ribbon cutting for the performance center. – MATTHEW FAZELPOOR/NJBIZ
Dr. Gerardo Chiricolo, the Red Bulls’ chief medical officer who works closely with the club’s training staff and athlete care team, said the facility represents a significant advancement in athlete care. “The RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center represents a major step forward in how we care for professional athletes and the next generation,” said Chiricolo. “This facility isn’t just about treating injuries; it’s about preventive care, optimizing recovery and supporting each athlete’s long-term well-being.”
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On the ‘World’ stage
The facility’s quality has already attracted attention well beyond Major League Soccer – globally.
Brazil, five-time World Cup winners, reportedly selected the Morris Township venue earlier this year, and the decision was officially announced in May when the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed it would use the complex as its Team Base Camp training site during the 2026 tournament, which kicked off over the weekend. The team arrived in New Jersey June 2 and have been practicing at the facility, which will operate under the name Columbia Park Training Center.
Pictures and videos of Brazil and its many star players, such as Neymar, practicing at the center and being spotted around New Jersey, have been making the rounds on social media.
“We are proud to welcome the Brazilian National Team to Columbia Park as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup,” said de Grandpré when the selection was announced. “Our Performance Center was built to serve the highest levels of the global game. Brazil’s decision to base here reflects the quality, innovation, and competitive standards embedded in this facility.”
Brazil Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team was drawn to the facility’s modern design and amenities. “We are very pleased with this decision,” said Ancelotti. “The Training Center is new, modern and offers all the conditions for our work, before and during the World Cup. I want to thank Red Bulls for welcoming us and showing us all the space, which was also sought after by other teams.”
Hosting 4 national teams
The selection also represents a win for New Jersey as it takes on a leading role in the world’s largest sporting event, hosting eight matches – including the Final on July 19 – and serving as base camps for four national teams, including Brazil.
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“New Jersey is excited to welcome the world to our state for eight World Cup matches, including the World Cup Final,” said Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “We are thrilled that Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, and Senegal have decided to call the Garden State home.”
Team Morocco’s base camp site for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is located at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge. At the May 5 announcement are (from left) Alex Lasry, CEO, FIFA World Cup 26 NYNJ Host Committee, Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Moroccan Ambassador Youssef Amrani and Tim Lear, head of The Pingry School. – PROVIDED BY NJ GOVERNOR’S OFFICE/TIM LARSEN
During the facility’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, NYNJ Host Committee Board Chair and former First Lady Tammy Murphy pointed to both Sports Illustrated Stadium and the new performance center as assets that helped elevate the region’s standing within the global soccer community.
“I will tell you that without the participation of Red Bull, I’m not sure we would have landed a lot of the games we did here in New Jersey,” said Murphy. “I can tell you that Red Bull, the quality of the stadium, Sports Illustrated Stadium, and now this incredible venue. Those are two really important factors that are attractive to Gianni Infantino and many at FIFA, and it’s one of the big reasons I really do believe that we are awarded with the Final.”
The future of soccer
For Red Bull New York, Brazil’s selection serves as an early endorsement of a facility built to compete with the best in the world. The facility also represents a foundational shift — bringing every level of the organization into a single environment designed to streamline development and elevate performance. For RWJBarnabas Health, it extends a growing footprint in professional sports here in New Jersey that connects clinical expertise with high-performance athletics.
And for Morris Township, it anchors one of the most advanced training complexes in North America — a facility already attracting global attention, and one that will continue to shape how the club develops players for years ahead.
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“This partnership reflects our deep commitment to building a healthier New Jersey—on and off the field—and we are proud to invest in a state-of-the-art facility that will inspire excellence for generations to come,” said Manigan.
Said de Grandpré, “This is where the future of our club takes shape.”
