The New Jersey Devils have a history of highs and lows on the ice. The team had limited success until the 1990s, when it cemented itself as one of the NHL’s most dominating teams, claiming the Stanley Cup in 1995, 2000, and 2003.
Before then, they saw little to no success at their initial permanent home of Kansas City, where they had 27 wins, 110 losses, and 23 ties. The franchise moved to Denver and was renamed the Colorado Rockies. Due to their continuous failure, the team was moved to New Jersey in 1982 and rebranded as the Devils. The name was chosen via a fan contest and comes from the Jersey Devil, a legendary beast thought to prowl the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Although the team’s home games had previously been played at the IZOD Center in the Meadowlands, the Devils relocated to Newark for the start of the 2007-08 season.
Buying Tickets
Fans who want to see the New Jersey Devils play can easily get tickets on the NFL’s official website. The page should clearly highlight the upcoming games, as well as a brief description of what is expected. Users are then sent to the official ticket page (Ticketmaster), where they can select a seat from the interactive stadium map.
The Devils’ Biggest Rival
One of the most entertaining things about sports for spectators and professionals alike is the trash-talking between competing teams and players. When rivals have a history, the stakes are greater, and the emotions run deeper.
The New York Rangers is one of the New Jersey Devils’ biggest rivals. It’s known better as the Hudson River rivalry or the Battle of the Hudson River. This is because Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan, where the Rangers play, is across the Hudson River and less than 10 miles from the Prudential Center in downtown Newark, the home of the Devils. Travel between both arenas is easily accomplished by both road and rail.
The Colorado Rockies became the New Jersey Devils in 1982, marking the beginning of the rivalry between the two teams. Substantial indemnities were paid to the Rangers, the New York Islanders, and the Philadelphia Flyers for the opportunity to join the New Jersey market in exchange for the move. Fans of both the Rangers and the Devils have been treated to high-quality hockey anytime these teams have met for the last 35 years, and there has been a constant tug-of-war between the many NJ sports betting sites about which team to favor.
Where to Eat and Drink Before a Match
Even though there are some choppy neighborhoods in and around downtown Newark, there are lots of fun spots to hang out on game nights. Most notably, Devils supporters congregate in and around Championship Plaza, located on Mulberry Street just across Edison Place.
In the hours leading up to the faceoff, several of the area’s bars and restaurants, such as the Edison Ale House, Redds Biergarten, and Mercato Tomato Pie, see a surge in customers. There are plenty of taverns, pizza parlors, delis, and fast food restaurants in the streets around the arena, so even if you park your vehicle a few blocks away or take public transportation to the game, you’re sure to find something to eat or drink that strikes your eye.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
