The New Jersey Devils entered the 1995-96 season as the defending Stanley Cup champions and maintained a competitive presence, finishing with a winning 37-33-12 record. Although they narrowly missed the playoffs by just one point, the season was highlighted by the exceptional performance of goaltender Martin Brodeur, who earned the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the league. The team’s strong defensive identity remained a hallmark of their play, supported by the leadership of captain Scott Stevens and the offensive contributions of leading scorer Peter Sykorra.