Take Warning: Which Devils Players Need to Step Up Following Game One Defeat?
Carolina Hurricanes fans rushed into Lenovo Center on Easter Sunday, making their presence known as they roared through Game One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New Jersey Devils. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils with a commanding 4-1 victory, sending an early message that they are looking to dominate this round. While it’s early in the series, the Devils will need to adjust their strategy quickly before stepping back onto the Canes’ ice tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. EDT. Here’s a look at the key players who must step up for the Devils to have a chance at a comeback.
Brian Dumoulin
Veteran defenseman Brian Dumoulin was also traded in March by the Anaheim Ducks to the Devils for a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and forward prospect Herman Traff. Dumoulin has a strong career, being a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and having 16 points and 91 blocked shots in 61 games for the Ducks before the trade. During the Devils’ regular season, he played 19 games and picked up six points, displaying dedication on the ice despite expressing his desire to stay in Anaheim. When it came to Game One of the playoffs, the veteran couldn’t make a mark on the scoresheet, despite leading all Devils skaters with 24:50 of ice time in the Easter Sunday loss to Carolina. While Dumoulin brought a wealth of experience and a steady blue-line presence to the Devils, he needs to turn that into results when it matters most—in the playoffs.
Daniel Sprong
Right wing Daniel Sprong has had a scattered regular season, playing for the Vancouver Canucks, Seattle Kraken, AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, and now the Devils. The Kraken traded Daniel Sprong to the Devils in March for a 2026 seventh-round pick. With the Kraken, he managed one goal and two points in the 10 games. While put on waivers by the Kraken, he had been playing with the Firebirds, where he picked up 11 goals and 25 points in just 19 games, showing his offensive upside. Devils coach Sheldon Keefe has spoken highly of Sprong, saying, “he’s been one of the best depth scorers in the NHL for the last few years,” but fans haven’t seen him deliver. Since becoming a Devil, he’s only received two assists in the 11 regular-season appearances despite receiving a fair amount of ice time. With the Devils needing all hands on deck to make it past the first round, the team will be counting on Sprong to step up and deliver the kind of scoring he’s proven capable of while in the AHL.
Dawson Mercer
Dawson Mercer has seen a significant drop in production, with just six points in his last 15 games. After a breakout season two years ago, when he registered 56 points, his offensive numbers have dipped. Though the center has yet to miss a regular-season game in his four-year NHL career, simply showing up isn’t enough. Mercer has taken on more responsibilities this season, frequently placed in the second-line center role and asked to play in all situations, from power play minutes to defensive zone starts. In Game One against Carolina, he logged a substantial 19:18 of ice time, but much like Dumoulin, he was unable to make an impact on the scoresheet. If the Devils are going to turn this series around, they’ll need Mercer to not just play minutes, but make them count.
