After a disappointing 2023-2024 season, the New Jersey Devils are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. On Sunday, the Devils travel to Raleigh to open the series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Let’s look at the matchup in this game preview.
The Essentials
Matchup: The New Jersey Devils (42-33-7) at the Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5)
Date: April 20th, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN, MSGSN, SN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNSO
Listen: Devils Hockey Network
The Series Preview
For a complete breakdown of this series and more in-depth information, check out John’s Playoff Series Preview.
Lineups
New Jersey Devils
No changes for #NJDevils from yesterday’s rushes.
Devils preparing to leave for Raleigh after practice with Game 1 set for tomorrow afternoon.
Here’s how it’s all rolling out today: pic.twitter.com/BcnPaJF0XW
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) April 19, 2025
Injuries: Jack Hughes (shoulder), Jonas Siegenthaler (lower-body)
Carolina Hurricanes
The #Canes are practicing at Lenovo Center today, getting ready for tomorrow’s Game 1 vs. New Jersey.
For the first time, Alexander Nikishin is with the group. Understandably, for his first skate, he’s working on the fourth defensive pair with Riley Stillman.
Presumably, Rod… pic.twitter.com/CXiIxllrZj
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) April 19, 2025
Injuries: Jesper Fast (neck)
Keys to Game 1
There isn’t much to add to John’s Playoff Series Preview going into the first game so here are a couple of points of emphasis for Devils in this opening tilt.
Counter the Aggression
Carolina is a structurally sound team through all four lines and defensive pairing that pursues the puck AGGRESSIVELY. Jackson discussed this succinctly in the regular season series opener. What can you count on? Death, taxes, and Carolina’s forecheck. But it isn’t just the forecheck. Carolina strives to take away time and space at both ends of the ice. As John states in the playoff series preview, on offense, the Canes shoot first, win puck battles in the offensive zone, and then continue their attack. Carolina uses man coverage on defense, playing on top of opponents to take away passing and shooting lanes. The Devils’ forwards must support their defensemen by providing outlet options to make quick, precise breakout passes. New Jersey’s forwards must get the Hurricanes moving in their defensive end to open passing and shooting lanes and then actually SHOOT, putting pucks ON the net. Lots of them and on target. Some say the Devils have an edge in goaltending, so let’s put pressure on their netminders.
Don’t Heap Additional Pressure on Markstrom
One might think that the Devils have the edge in goaltending. However, Jacob Markstrom is still regaining his form following his injury in January. Even before his injury, Markstrom could not do it all alone, as we’ve seen this regular season. In their first matchup against the Canes in October, Markstrom played outstanding. Per Natural Stat Trick, out of the 29 shots he faced in that October matchup, 12 were high-danger shots, and Markstrom stopped 11. You’ll take that all day, but the result was still a 4-2 loss. It will take a complete team defensive commitment to beat Carolina, and we need to see it from the puck drop in Game 1.
Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts on this series opener or the series in general? Will the Devils bring their A-Game tonight? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you for reading, and GO DEVILS!!!