On Tuesday night, the New Jersey Devils take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina leads the series 1-0 after a resounding 4-1 win on Sunday. Game 2 will once again be in the Lenovo Center in Raleigh before the series shifts back to New Jersey for Game Three.
Match Overview
Three different Devils all left the game with injuries in Sunday’s loss. Brendan Dillon did not return after a second period injury. Head coach Sheldon Keefe said postgame that Dillon wanted to return, but was held out by trainers.
Luke Hughes and Cody Glass were then injured on the same shift in the third period. Hughes returned a few minutes later, but Glass did not after taking a brutal slash from Jacob Markstrom.
At Monday’s practice, Keefe said that all three were still being evaluated and none had been ruled in or out for Game 2. Check out our social channels prior to puck drop for any injury updates.
As for Carolina, Taylor Hall missed Monday’s practice. Per Walt Ruff, head coach Rod Brind’Amour called Hall’s absence precautionary. Tyson Jost filled in for Hall in the practice and would figure to draw into the lineup if Hall cannot go.
Both teams should stick with the same goaltenders for Game 2. Frederik Andersen allowed just one goal on 24 shots faced for Carolina. Jacob Markstrom allowed three goals with the fourth coming on an empty net, but he was still excellent, making 41 saves. Both netminders had over a full goal saved above expected.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils
With multiple injuries highlighting a disappointing Game One, expect the Devils’ lines to look different for Game Two. With multiple game-time decisions, check our social channels before the game for updated lines ahead of Game Two.
Carolina Hurricanes
Forwards
Jarvis – Aho – Blake
Hall – Kotkaniemi – Svechnikov
Martinook – Staal – Stankoven
Robinson – Roslovic – Carrier
Defensemen
Slavin – Burns
Orlov – Chatfield
Gostisbehere – Walker
Goaltenders
Andersen
Kochetkov
What to Watch For
Special Teams
As several writers mentioned in our series prediction roundtable, special teams are crucial to the Devils’ success against such a dominant five-on-five team.
However, Carolina dominated both the special teams and even strength in Game 1. The Hurricanes went 1-for-3 on the power play while killing off both New Jersey man advantages.
Carolina and New Jersey finished first and second in the league on the penalty kill this season, but the difference came on the power play, where the Devils ranked third and the Hurricanes ranked 25th. For the Devils to have any chance of stealing home ice, they need to win the special teams battle.
Jesper Bratt
In Game 1, Jesper Bratt finished with a 41.19 xGF% at five-on-five while surrendering a 4-1 advantage in high-danger chances. Bratt was New Jersey’s best player for most of the season, setting a new career-high with 88 points.
Bratt did pick up an assist on Nico Hischier’s goal at four-on-four, but the Devils need more from Bratt at even strength. It will be difficult against the likes of Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Staal, but New Jersey’s top weapons need to be difference makers in this series.
Dougie Hamilton (and the Restructured Defense)
Speaking of difference makers, Dougie Hamilton struggled in Game 1. The 31-year-old defenseman finished with just a 22.32 xGF% at five-on-five. Carolina had a 10-2 edge in high-danger chances with Hamilton on the ice.
New Jersey was going to need much more from Hamilton regardless, but that is only amplified with the current injury situation. On the left side of the defense, Hamilton’s usual partner, Brendan Dillon, is a game-time decision after leaving Sunday’s game injured, and Jonas Siegenthaler is already out.
That means either left-handed Santeri Hattaka will have to draw in after not playing in the NHL all season, or Simon Nemec or Simon Casey will play on the right side with Brett Pesce likely moving to his off-handed left side, like he did several times this season.
Either way, the rest of New Jersey’s healthy defensemen need to step up to give the Devils a chance in this series, and that includes Hamilton.
Where to Watch
The opening faceoff for Game Two is set for 6:00 pm ET on both ESPN and MSGSN.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick