New series, same outcome. After playing one of the most complete games they’ve played all season long, the New Jersey Devils started their round two series the same as the last. The Devils traveled down South as their round two opponent Carolina Hurricanes awaited them. And just like the first series, the Devils lost Game 1 in convincing fashion.
For the fourth time these playoffs the Devils dropped a game where the opposing team scored five goals. Carolina came out fast and ready and the Devils looked like a team that played two nights prior. But thankfully, every series is a best of seven and you can adjust and come out flying in the next game.
Injury-wise, Carolina also has three of their top six wingers out with injury. New Jersey missed Timo Meier in Game 1, and remains day to day ahead of Game 2.
Projected Lineups
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Tatar-Hischier-Bratt
Palat-Hughes-Haula
Sharangovich-Mercer-Boqvist
Wood-McLeod-Bastian
Defense
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Marino
Bahl-Severson
Goalies
Schmid
Vanecek
Carolina Hurricanes
Forwards
Noesen-Aho-Jarvis
Martinook-Kotkaniemi-Fast
Drury-Staal-Necas
Stastny-Stepan-Puljujarvi
Defense
Slavin-Burns
Skjei-Pesce
Gostisbehere-Chatfield
Goalies
Andersen
Raanta
What To Watch For
A Fast Start For New Jersey
If there is one key to this game for the Devils, it is a fast start. The Devils started the first round slow and found themselves down 2-0. They’ll like to not repeat that same path.
Specifically, in Game 1, a slow start doomed the Devils for the rest of the night. However, they did find their legs as the game went on. But a fast start in Game 2 would do wonders.
In Game 1, the Devils had just seven shot attempts and only one making it on net in the first period. A well-rested Carolina team took advantage of the Devils who just played a Game 7.
Solving Frederik Andersen
Goaltender Frederik Andersen has a reputation of not being a goalie that can’t get it done in the playoffs. He was hurt in the playoffs and did not play the first five games of the first round. However, he has started the last two and has been excellent. He is 2-0 with a 0.95 goals against average and a .962 save percentage.
New Jersey needs to solve him and generate more on net. Get traffic in front of him and make life hard for him. That was something Timo Meier did effectively in the first round and something that was sorely missed in Game 1. Carolina’s defensive structure is great, but so is the Devils offensive attack when they are at their best.
How To Watch
Game 2 Is Friday night at 8:00 on ET and will be on TNT.