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The New Jersey Devils return to Newark Thursday to drop the puck for the home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs, ahead of a highly anticipated season.

The Devils won the first two games of the regular season, both against Buffalo, held in Czechia as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series. And the franchise is rolling out the red carpet Oct. 10 – literally – as part of a celebration in Newark.

Following the Red Carpet Arrivals, a pre-game Fan Fest and special activations will welcome fans back to the Prudential Center. Courtesy of Citizens, presenting sponsor of the Championship Plaza event, all fans in attendance will receive a commemorative rally towel. The festivities get underway at 4 p.m. with players arriving in BMW cars, performances by the Joe Baracata Band and the Ocean Avenue Stompers, as well as food trucks, games, activities and more.

In-game activations include:

• A moment of silence and honor for the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
• A player introduction ceremony featuring the Jersey Girls Hockey Club
• An enhanced projection system
• Enhanced lighting
• A Citizens activation space
• The debut of new in-arena host, Jenna Lemoncelli

“As the Official Bank of the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, we are thrilled to celebrate the home opener alongside fans,” said Nuno Dos Santos, Citizens head of retail branch network. “Our partnership with the Devils underscores our commitment to the community, from supporting local businesses through the Jersey Shops initiative to preparing our youth for the workforce of tomorrow. Our Citizens Game Ready Bankers will be onsite throughout the season to help fans achieve their financial goals and rally around the Devils!”

Elevated eats

Fans attending Devils home games at Prudential Center will also get to enjoy a new food and beverage experience.

As part of a collaboration with Levy, a market leader in hospitality at sports and entertainment venues, the partners launched Eastback Kitchen. The partnership will serve as the official culinary and white label hospitality brand of Prudential Center.

Eastback Kitchen aims to deliver world-class hospitality, ranging from concessions to premium clubs and suites. The brand takes its inspiration from the industrial spirit of Mulberry Street (formerly East Back Street) that borders The Rock. It focuses on delivering fans an “elevated culinary experience inclusive of the grit, boldness, and flavor of New Jersey.”

Throughout the arena, fans will have access to more than 20 new signature offerings.

Some highlights include:

• The addition of Mighty Quinn’s (Section 4)
• New menu items, such as —
  • • The Ranch House Burger (Smash by Pat LaFrieda, Sections 12 & 111)
    • Taylor Ham, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich Downtown Diner, Sections 1 & 118)
    • Cheese Steak (the Boardwalk, Section 126)
    • Melba’s Signature Chicken & Waffle Bowl (Section 107)
    • Funnel Cake Fries (Downtown Diner and the Boardwalk, Sections 1, 118, & 126)
• Partnerships with purpose-driven organizations, such as Greens Do Good and Popcorn for the People
• Heritage Kitchen, a pop-up food and beverage initiative supporting small, diverse businesses throughout New Jersey
  • • Will honor various culinary traditions through theme and heritage nights throughout the season
• The multimillion dollar installation of retractable seating on the North and South ends of the building
  • • Upgrade allows a seamless conversion on shared event days with other teams that call The Rock home

“Like me, so many chefs on our culinary team grew up cooking across Jersey, and we’re incredibly passionate about making sure the arena reflects the dishes fans know and love,” said Aron Zaks, executive chef of Eastback Kitchen at Prudential Center. “We spent the offseason out in the community, eating and taking notes to create our own recipes made fresh at the arena. From diner classics to favorite local restaurants and purveyors, we’re showcasing Jersey in every area fans’ experience hospitality at Prudential Center.”

“Launching Eastback Kitchen establishes a new era for hospitality at Prudential Center, ensuring new dishes, a Jersey-made focus for our fans with local partners, and a continued emphasis on inclusivity and cultural celebration with the introduction of Heritage Kitchen,” said Dana Seiden, vice president, Partnerships, New Jersey Devils & Prudential Center. “We’ve spent time listening to our fans and are committed to providing a world-class food and beverage experience for everyone who comes through The Rock.”

‘Money-can’t-buy experiences’

“As a Top 5 venue worldwide, Prudential Center prides itself on the continuous rollout of renovations to ensure that guests are offered the best experience possible,” said Stephen Rosebrook, executive vice president/general manager, Prudential Center.

Elsewhere on the business side, the Devils and Prudential Center announced a new brand partnership earlier this month. The collaboration with growing online casino brand PlayStar includes:

• Digital branding communications
• PlayStar featured in PA announcements and in-game graphics at The Rock
• special VIP packages and unique experiences
• PlayStar’s sponsorship of the ongoing “Golden Goal Sweepstakes” promotion
  • • Offers Devils fans the chance to win $10,000 cash at every home game throughout the season

Here’s how it works:

“If a goal is scored during the 11:00 – 10:00 minute mark in the 2nd period of a Devils’ game, PlayStar will randomly select a winner from one of the players who entered a submission in the Golden Goal contest,” according to an Oct. 3 press release from the Devils.

The two organizations plan to look for further engagement opportunities as the partnership evolves.

“Having already made such significant in-roads into the competitive New Jersey market, PlayStar is thrilled to announce that it will be partnering with the New Jersey Devils to bring even more locally-focused benefits to our players,” Jon Bowden, chief marketing officer at PlayStar, said Oct. 3. “Through our sponsorship of the ‘Golden Goal Sweepstakes’ promotion and our extensive presence at Prudential Center, we’ll be able to position the PlayStar brand in front of a highly-engaged online casino audience while also offering new and existing customers alike the chance to win VIP home game and concert tickets as well as many other money-can’t-buy experiences.”

“The New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center are thrilled to welcome PlayStar as our first-ever online casino partner and sponsor of the ‘Golden Goal Sweepstakes,'” said Chad Biggs, senior vice president, Corporate Partnerships Activation, New Jersey Devils & Prudential Center. “Together with PlayStar, we look forward to enhancing the fan experience with this in-game promotion and creating unique money-can’t-buy opportunities for fans to enjoy.”