Multi-Goal Lead Squandered; Markstrom Heroics Not Enough; Devils Eliminated

Raleigh, North Carolina was hostile as can be with the New Jersey Devils in town to play the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the first round Stanley Cup Playoff matchup.

Hurricanes fans voiced their displeasure with Timo Meier, who incidentally injury Carolina goaltender, Frederik Andersen, in Game 4, a game the Devils lost 5-2.

On the brink of elimination, the Hurricanes faithful wanted to make the Devils as uncomfortable as can be in their barn. It didn’t work.

The Devils struck first when ex-Hurricane, Brett Pesce, threw a puck on net from the blueline. After the rubber was knocked down, it was sent back to Pesce who took another shot, and Dawson Mercer‘s deflection made gave the Devils a 1-0 lead.

Less than two minutes later, public enemy No.1 doubled the Devils’ lead when Meier wired a wrist shot from the slot past Pyotr Kochetkov to make it a 2-0 game.

Eric Robinson was called for interference shortly after Meier’s goal, and the Devils went to the man advantage that was goalless in their last 12 chances.

Although the clock on the power play just ran out, Simon Nemec’s point shot was redirected by Stefan Noesen and past Kochetkov as Robinson was exiting the penalty box to give New Jersey a 3-0 lead.

Cody Glass was whistled for interference with just under 20 seconds remaining in the first period.

The Devils forward continued to serve the minor infraction through the beginning of the second period. Although the Devils killed off the infraction, the Hurricanes kept puck possession on the same sequence, and Taylor Hall cut New Jersey’s lead to 3-1.

The Hurricanes began to run with the momentum, and the Hurricanes’ crowd came back to life.

Three minutes after Carolina’s first strike, Mark Jankowski pushed the puck deep into the Devils’ end of the ice. Jackson Blake picked up the loose rubber, emerged from below the goal line, and beat Jacob Markstrom stick-side to cut the Devils’ lead to 3-2.

Carolina continued to suffocate New Jersey, and Andrei Svechnikov soon after tied the game, completing the three-goal comeback in 5:40.

The Devils finally stopped the bleeding, finally regaining puck possession and playing in Carolina’s end of the ice.

Nico Hischier scored New Jersey’s fourth goal, regaining the Devils’ lead that was surrendered two minutes prior.

Yet, the Devils went short two men after both Tomas Tatar and Erik Haula took tripping minors, giving the Hurricanes an abbreviated 5-on-3. Sebastian Aho tied the game on a one-timer from the right circle, and Carolina remained on a 5-on-4 power play for over a minute.

The Devils killed the remaining time on the infraction, however, and the second period ended knotted at four goals each.

There were plenty of moments on both ends of the ice in the third period when it looked like either side could decide the game. However, the Hurricanes’ penalty kill negated two Devils power plays, and Markstrom came up big in the third frame to keep the game tied at four.

With the Devils facing elimination, Game 5 needed overtime.

The game should have been decided in the first extra frame. However, Markstrom ensued that the two sides play on despite Hurricanes’ onslaught.

Carolina took up all the oxygen in the first overtime period, holding onto the puck for what felt like an eternity. They peppered Markstrom with 13 shots, yet, the 34-year-old Swedish netminder stopped them all, throwing in a few highlight reel saves that left the Hurricanes looking to the rafters.

When the first overtime wasn’t enough, the Devils and Hurricanes needed a second extra frame.

Mercer quickly put New Jersey in a tough spot after a high stick on Jesperi Kotkaniemi drew blood, giving the Hurricanes a four-minute power play.

Just over three minutes into the Carolina man advantage, Aho’s second goal of the night called game, and officially eliminated the Devils from the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Markstrom made 48 saves on 53 shots, stopping 12 of 14 faced on the penalty kill.

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