Devils Pregame

Devils Game 1 Preview, Let’s Rock: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Hurricanes

Published

1 month ago

April 20, 2025

New Jersey Devils Game vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today for the New Jersey Devils. The real season begins at PNC Arena as the Devils (third seed) visit the Carolina Hurricanes (second seed) in Game 1, Round One of the Metro Division bracket

The Devils are a little healthier than expected, and defenseman Dougie Hamilton will be in the lineup. However, the Devils will chase the Stanley Cup without Jack Hughes.

This season, the Devils and Carolina split the season series, each team notching a 2-2-0 record. Jesper Brett was the leading scorer with seven points (2-5-7). Among the healthy Devils, Ondrej Palat and Stefan Noesen were the second-leading scorers with three points. Palat had two goals.

Jack Roslovic was Carolina’s leading scorer against the Devils. Roslovic had five points (3-2-5) in four games. Carolina also started three goalies in the four games. Pyotr Kochetkov started a pair of games and posted a sad .878 save percentage.

Jacob Markstrom started three of the four games for the Devils and was pretty good, posting an .916 save percentage.

Devils Lines

Stefan Noesen–Nico Hischier–Jesper Bratt

Erik Haula–Dawson Mercer–Timo Meier

Paul Cotter–Cody Glass–Daniel Sprong

Ondrej Palat–Justin Dowling–Nathan Bastian

Defensemen

Luke Hughes–Brett Pesce

Brenden Dillon–Dougie Hamilton

Brian Dumoulin–Johnathan Kovacevic

Goalie: Jacob Markstrom

Hurricanes Lines

Seth Jarvis-Sebastian Aho-Jackson Blake

Taylor Hall-Jesper Kotkaniemi-Andrei Svechnikov

Jordan Martinook-Jordan Staal-Logan Stankoven

William Carrier-Mark Jankowski-Jack Roslovic

Defense

Jaccob Slavin-Brent Burns

Dmitri Orlov-Jalen Chatfield

Shayne Gostisbehere-Sean Walker

Goalies: Frederik Andersen, Likely

Devils Game Notes

The Devils’ power-play (28.2%) finished third in the NHL this season behind Vegas (28.3%) and Winnipeg (28.9%). The team set a franchise record (prior: 2000-01, 22.9%).

The Devils finished second on the penalty kill this season (82.7%) behind Carolina (83.6%). Their PK percentage marked its highest since the 2013-14 campaign (86.4%).

The Devils are one of five teams this postseason that did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season (Ottawa, Minnesota, Montreal, and St. Louis). However, they were 8-7-0 in matinee games this season.

The Devils and Carolina face off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth time in franchise history.