Devils Postgame
Markstrom Heroics Can’t Buoy Devils in Game 2; Hurricanes Double Series Lead
The New Jersey Devils fall to the Carolina Hurricanes despite the heroics by Jacob Markstrom in Game 2 of the playoff series.
Moments before the final buzzer blared, the New Jersey Devils could be seen with a look of defeat on their bench despite a valiant effort.
As if the Devils didn’t have to overcome enough, the uphill battle became even steeper before the puck dropped against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2.
The Devils lost not one, but two vital pieces of their blueline Tuesday night as a result of Game 1 injuries to Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon.
READ MORE: Devils Playoff Game 2 Lineup to Shuffle Amid Star & Veteran Defenseman Injuries
Sheldon Keefe explained, to a man—himself included—the Devils needed to be much better in Game 2. And their start could not have been any better.
The Devils started fast, controlling the pace of play as the result of a heavier forecheck. In fact, 3:51 into the first period, New Jersey opened the scoring when Erik Haula crashed the Carolina net with the puck, and Jesper Bratt deposited the rebound to give the Devils an early 1-0 lead.
New Jersey’s aggressiveness got them into some trouble as they at in the penalty box twice in the opening 20 minutes. However, the Devils’ penalty killers remained aggressive, and New Jersey went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
The Hurricanes flipped the script in the second period, and started the middle frame much like how the Devils opened the first.
In fact, the Hurricanes tied the game just 2:57 into the middle frame. Shayne Gostisbehere drove the Devils’ net and when Jacob Markstrom stopped his initial shot, the Canes defenseman collected his own rebound and scored to tie the game at one.
After an initial game-leading Hurricanes goal was waved off as the puck didn’t cross the goal-line, Carolina did take a 2-1 lead—a shorthanded goal by Jordan Martinook—despite Sebastian Aho sitting in the penalty box.
The game proceeded to get chippy between the division rivals, which saw Timo Meier and Jalen Chatfield each head to the box for roughing minors.
After the Devils and Hurricanes returned to even strength, Meier nearly tied the game, streaking to the Hurricanes net from the left wall with the puck on his stick. The Swiss forward’s shot dribbled behind Frederik Andersen. However, the Hurricanes’ goaltender quickly swatted the puck out of the crease with his free hand.
The Hurricanes locked down the Devils the best they could, but not before an eight-shot push by New Jersey in the third period. The Devils racked up a number of chances, multiple by Meier, in the final frame.
In fact, with Markstrom on New Jersey’s bench, a rebound fell on the stick of Meier in the slot with a wide-open net. Yet, the bouncing puck hopped over Meier’s stick, and he couldn’t tie the game in the closing moments.
Seth Jarvis proceeded to score on the empty-net, sealing Carolina’s 3-1 victory over New Jersey to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Markstrom made 25 saves on 27 shots, and made 1.26 saves above expected. Andersen was equally impressive on the other end of the ice, making 1.31 saves above expected.
The Devils and Hurricanes move the series to Newark, New Jersey for the next two games, beginning on Friday.
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