3 Keys: Devils at Hurricanes, Game 2 of Eastern 2nd Round

Meier game-time decision in New Jersey bid to even series; Carolina seeks continued scoring from defensemen

By Tom Gulitti

@TomGulittiNHL NHL.com Senior Writer

May 05, 2023

(2M) Devils at (1M) Hurricanes

Eastern Conference Second Round, Game 2

Carolina leads best-of-7 series, 1-0

8 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The New Jersey Devils already have experience coming from behind in Stanley Cup Playoffs but would prefer not to gain any more.

New Jersey will try to avoid falling behind 2-0 for the second consecutive series when it faces the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at PNC Arena on Friday.

The Hurricanes are coming off a 5-1 win in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series Wednesday. Though the Devils were able to overcome losing the first two games against the New York Rangers in the opening round to win that series in seven games, they are determined to avoid that scenario again.

"I expect a lot more energy, I expect a lot more speed and I expect our team to play a lot quicker," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "I give them a lot of credit. They played a really good game. I didn't like a lot of parts of our game, and I think our game will be a lot better."

The Devils could receive a boost from the possible return of forward Timo Meier from an upper-body injury he sustained on a hit from defenseman Jacob Trouba in Game 7 against the Rangers. Ruff said Meier will be a game-time decision.

Carolina can take 2-0 lead for the second straight series after winning the first two games at home against the New York Islanders in the opening round on its way to advancing in six games.

"It's no different than any other game," Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho said. "We want to play our game. We want to start on time. We want to set the tone. That's no different no matter what happened in the past."

Carolina is 3-1 at home in playoff games this season and 10-2 during the past two postseasons.

Teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-7 series are 343-55 (.862) all time, including 1-1 (.500) in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Here are 3 keys to Game 2:

1. Start strong

The Hurricanes overwhelmed the Devils in the first period of Game 1, grabbing a 2-0 lead and outshooting them 10-1. Jumping on opponents early has been a season-long part of Carolina's success.

The Hurricanes are 4-0 when scoring first and 4-0 when leading after the first period in the playoffs after being 40-5-4 when scoring first and 34-4-4 when leading after the first period during the regular season.

So, playing at least even in the first period would be a good initial step for New Jersey.

"We know Carolina is a team that comes out fast and strong and it's really important to get the first goal or even just to hold it 0-0," Devils captain Nico Hischier said. "That's the mindset we're going to have tonight."

2. Offense from defense

Scoring from defensemen was pivotal for the Hurricanes in Game 1, with Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei getting goals, as it was during the regular season. Carolina led the NHL with a Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers record 59 goals from defensemen during the regular season, including 18 each from Skjei and Brent Burns.

That additional scoring threat is particularly important with Carolina missing top forwards Andrei Svechnikov (torn ACL), Max Pacioretty (torn Achilles) and Teuvo Teravainen (broken hand).

"Some teams are loaded with (forward) talent, and we have that element," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "But we're missing a big part of that element, so we're counting on our [defensemen] to do the rest."

The Devils got 49 goals from defensemen during the regular season, including 22 from former Hurricane Dougie Hamilton, so it's a critical part of their offense too.

3. Schmid rebound

Ruff would not say if Akira Schmid will be back in net after he allowed three goals on 11 shots before being pulled in Game 1, but all signs point to the rookie making his seventh straight start. The 22-year-old rebounded after being pulled during a 5-2 loss in Game 6 against the Rangers to stop all 31 shots he faced in a 4-0 win in Game 7.

"I think he's just going to play his game," Hischier said. " … I think he's doing well. His pulse is the same back there, so I think he's going to be all right."