The Devils travel back to Raleigh to try to stave off elimination. Check out the matchup in this playoff game preview.
The Essentials
Matchup: The New Jersey Devils (42-33-7) at the Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5)
Date: April 29th, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Broadcast: TBS, Max, MSGSN, SN360, TVAS2, 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.
Lineup News
New Jersey Devils
The big news out of New Jersey continues to be the injuries.
Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon and Johnny Kovacevic will all miss Game 5. #NJDevils
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) April 28, 2025
Given those injury updates, the Devils’ lines and pairings will likely look very similar to Game #4, but there should be at least one adjustment. Without Luke Hughes, the Devils are missing an offensive quarterback on the blue line. With nothing to lose and desperately needing to find a way to generate more offense, Seamus Casey should start in Game #5. Simon Nemec has stepped up his play since moving into the starting lineup, and one would hope Casey would rise to the occasion as well. Casey has areas of his game that need work, but he made his mark offensively. The Devils will hope it doesn’t cost them defensively, but they have no choice but to pull out all the stops to create offense and Casey can help.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina’s lineup will likely remain the same except for goalie Frederik Andersen, who left Sunday’s game with an injury. According to head coach Rod Brind’Amour, Andersen was still being evaluated on Monday. Pyotr Kochetkov will get the start if Andersen is unable to go. Kochetkov recorded a save percentage of 0.897 during the regular season at all strengths. Carolina’s backup goaltender allowed an average of 2.60 and saved just over 4.2 goals above average. Kochetkov had to step into the starting role throughout the regular season due injuries and he played well in Game #4 so do not expect a drop-off. The Devils must make him work harder than that.
Focal Points For Game #5
Shots, Shots, Shots
The plea to add Seamus Casey to the lineup is an attempt to get more shots on net. In New Jersey’s three losses in this series, they have recorded fewer than 30 shots. In fact, Game #2 was the only game in which they broke the 25-shot mark. In Game #3, the Devils’ best effort in the series, they recorded 37 shots. Carolina allowed the eighth most shots per game at 27.3 during the regular season. Oddly enough, the Devils averaged the ninth most shots per game at 27.3 per game. Regular season statistics mean absolutely nothing now, but it is clear that shots matter and the Devils need more. A lot more. For Game #5, the Devils must break the 30-shot threshold for a chance to win.
No Softies
The Devils need better performances on a few fronts on Tuesday, but one is Jacob Markstrom. Honestly, I didn’t care for three of the four goals the New Jersey netminder allowed. There was heavy traffic on Andrei Svechnikov’s spin-around shot to open the scoring, so Marky may get a pass on that one, but it did look like he picked up the puck, albeit late. The goal on the shot from Jaccob Slavin from a bad angle cannot go in. I know it was perfectly placed, but Markstom should have had eyes on that puck the whole way. There was a lot to dislike on the fourth goal scored by Brent Burns. The misplay, or miscommunication, on Markstrom’s initial breakout pass attempt, led to the shot from Burns that trickled over the line. The New Jersey netminder allowed four goals in comparison to 2.40 expected goals against as per Natural Stat Trick. If the Devils are going to take Game #5, the Devils need a better performance from Markstrom.
Production from Offseason Additions
This is it. New Jersey’s back is against the wall on the road, and they have nothing to lose. I know this team is missing critical pieces, but The People Who Matter want to see them give it everything they have. No hesitation in chasing pucks into the corners, winning board battles, emptying the tank. It would be great to see scoring from some offseason additions acquired for just these scenarios. Per NHL.com, Stefan Noesen, Paul Cotter, and Tomas Tatar have yet to record a single point in this series. In a series where shots and traffic in front of the net are so crucial, the lack of production from Noesen, in particular, hurts. Per NHL.com, Noesen has tallied six shots this series, while Cotter has recorded three, and Tatar only has one. Ondrej Palat has only fired three shots but has managed a couple of assists. It’s stating the obvious, but New Jersey needs more. The Devils need these guys to step up if they want any chance to win Game #5.
Your Thoughts
Can the Devils fire 30 or more shots on the road in Carolina? Would you start Seamus Casey? Can New Jersey get Noesen or Cotter going? Provide your thoughts in the comments section below.