Penguins and Devils Face Off in Key Eastern Conference Matchup

Streaming and TV details for the April 9 NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:24pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils, with the players' movements and the energy of the game captured through the fractured, overlapping planes of color and shape.The Penguins and Devils clash in a crucial late-season matchup, with both teams fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils will meet on the ice on April 9 at 7 p.m. ET at Prudential Center. The Penguins currently sit in 5th place in the Eastern Conference with 96 points, while the Devils are in 13th with 83 points. This game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Why it matters

This is an important late-season matchup between two Eastern Conference teams fighting for playoff positioning. The Penguins are looking to solidify their spot in the postseason, while the Devils are trying to make a late push to get into the playoffs.

The details

The Penguins will be without several key players for this game, including Zack MacEwen (out for season with ACL injury), Stefan Noesen (out for season with knee injury), and Arseni Gritsyuk (out for season with upper body injury). The Devils will also be missing some players, with Brett Pesce out with a lower body injury and Blake Lizotte out with an upper body issue.

  • The game is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET.

The players

Pittsburgh Penguins

An NHL team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that currently sits in 5th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

New Jersey Devils

An NHL team based in Newark, New Jersey that currently sits in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

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What they’re saying

“This is a big game for us as we try to lock up a playoff spot. We know the Devils will be a tough opponent, but we're ready for the challenge.”

— Sidney Crosby, Captain, Pittsburgh Penguins

“We're going to have to play a complete 60 minutes if we want to have a chance against the Penguins. They're a talented team, but we believe we can pull off the upset if we execute our game plan.”

— Nico Hischier, Center, New Jersey Devils

What’s next

The winner of this game will gain valuable ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Penguins will look to build on this game as they push for a high seed, while the Devils will hope to use a potential upset as momentum for a late-season surge.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Penguins and Devils features two teams heading in opposite directions in the Eastern Conference standings. Pittsburgh is firmly in playoff position, while New Jersey is fighting to stay in the hunt. The outcome of this game could have significant implications on the postseason picture.