How the Devils Can Respond in Game Two

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have returned for the New Jersey Devils, a nice feeling for fans all around. As game one went underway in Raleigh, fans were reminded of an important lesson when it comes to playoff hockey. Although a fun game for Hurricanes fans, New Jersey fans were reminded that playoff hockey is nowhere near the same as the regular season. Throughout Game One, this injured Devils team was very much not ready for an experienced team like Carolina. Aside from almost doubling their shots, New Jersey just wasn’t able to keep up, a not-so-great sign for this series. Though Carolina showed to be the superior team yesterday, the series is far from over, leaving this Devils team to wonder how they can respond in Game Two.

Figure Out Carolina

For almost a decade now, the Carolina Hurricanes have been playing the way they are now. Under their head coach, Rod Brind’Amour, they’ve played a style that has rewarded them with seven straight postseason appearances, all going as far as the second round in each. The style continues to prove dominant after Game One, but it seems New Jersey remains unable to figure out this style. Carolina’s unique style worked against New Jersey two years ago in round two, and they still have no answers at all. Throughout hockey, some teams new to the postseason have been known for studying their opponents, and if there’s anything this game should teach this injured roster, it’s that they now know what they’re up against. Aware of what Carolina can now do, it’s up to New Jersey now to find their way of countering.

Remain Healthy

Going into the series, New Jersey was already looking quite hesitant with their superstar Jack Hughes out until next season. Injuries this season haven’t always been pleasant for this Devils team, but their luck just went further down after today's match. In playoff hockey, the physicality is unlike anything in the regular season, and it proved too much for some Devils. It all began as Brenden Dillon was taken out for the game despite an urge to jump back in after a rough start. Long after, once the third period began, defenseman Luke Hughes was injured, needing help off the ice and into the tunnel. Fortunately, Luke was able to return later in the period, but then Cody Glass was accidentally struck by goaltender Jacob Markström, taking him out for the rest of the game, horrible. No updates so far on Cody Glass, perhaps he’ll be fine, but perhaps not. Some injuries like this being at risk after just one game give these Devils another message about playoff hockey: they better keep their heads up. 

Help Out the Goaltender

It ended with a final score of 4-1, but it’s safe to say it could’ve been much worse without Markström. New Jersey just couldn’t keep up with Carolina, who knows what the 35-year-old goaltender was thinking while witnessing all this. Markström comes into the playoffs with 27 games of experience, with a record of 13-14-0: he’s certainly a playoff goalie. An injured roster may not provide the offense this team used to have, but it leaves no excuse to rely on Markström to steal these games. Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Anderson has had his downs in the postseason, but because of the strength of the players in front of him, it led to a dominant 4-1 win, then there’s the Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, who had his downs as well, yet the team in front of him brought him to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. A goalie's stats in the past mean almost nothing in the end when moving forward, when there's a team in front helping him out, good things will follow, like a deep run.

Game Two

Not a very motivating game for the Devils, undoubtedly, but the series is only just beginning. Odds may say winning the first game almost ensures a series victory, but it’s just numbers in the end. New Jersey lost Game One; that game is over now, nothing left to do but move on and correct the wrongs for a stronger performance in the second game. More often than one may think, game two ends in the series being tied, meaning the loss does nothing but teach a team how they can counter. Two days for New Jersey to figure out this Carolina team after yesterday’s performance, fans will then know if this team just can’t keep up or can find it in themselves to respond aggressively to make this a series.