2023-24 Regular Season, Game 47: Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils (Pregame)

After a brief trip to Beantown, the Carolina Hurricanes return home after picking up a huge win over the Boston Bruins last night. With the Mom's Trip garnering headlines around the league, the Canes held a 2-0 lead through 40 minutes. Martin Necas scored for the third straight game, snapping a shot past Linus Ullmark on the power play late in the first period to open the scoring. Teuvo Teravainen added another marker on the power play in the second period, elevating the puck while his stick was between Charlie Coyle's legs. Brad Marchand took things into his own hands in the third period, scoring twice in less than six minutes to knot the game after the Canes held an edge in the play for most of the night. With overtime appearing to be on the horizon, Jordan Martinook got into the offensive zone on a breakaway, beating Ullmark with less than 2:30 left to put the Canes back in front. The Bruins immediately pulled their goalie but couldn't find the tying goal, as the Hurricanes ran out of the clock in a huge 3-2 win in regulation. Spencer Martin, making his team debut after being claimed off waivers last Friday, made 26 stops to earn the win. Teravainen and Sebastian Aho each finished the night with two points as the Canes jumped into second place in the division.

The Opponent: New Jersey Devils (24-18-3, 51 Points- 4th in the Metropolitan Division)

I expected the Hurricanes and Devils to be at the top of the Metropolitan Division, duking it out like they did last season. Thus far, it hasn't gone that way. After being eliminated by the Canes in the postseason, the Devils went out and acquired Tyler Toffoli from the Flames while giving massive extensions to Jesper Bratt and deadline acquisition Timo Meier. They didn't opt to upgrade their goaltending, sticking with Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid. This has proven to be a major issue for the team. The Devils are the only team in the league with a worse save percentage than the Canes, and they rank in the bottom five in goals allowed per game, surrendering just over 3.50 goals per contest. This has hampered a team with an incredible amount of skill up front. They're sixth in the league in goals per game. Jesper Bratt leads the charge with 48 points, followed closely by Jack Hughes, who scored 45 points despite missing 13 games. The Toffoli deal has worked out well for the Devils. He leads the team with 20 goals. They're also getting solid contributions from rookie defensemen Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec. The Devils are a little all over the place right now, but they're coming off a 6-5 win in overtime over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday, in which Toffoli recorded his second hat trick of the season, capped off by the overtime winner. This team has about as much skill as any other team in the league. With better goaltending, they'll be scary to face. 

Last Season's Meetings- The Canes and Devils split their four regular-season meetings, with the Devils holding a slight 5-4 edge in points. They met three times in three weeks, beginning on December 20 in Raleigh. The Canes got the better of the Devils, chasing Vitek Vanecek after two periods. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Jordan Staal, and Teuvo Teravainen (SH) got the Canes out to a 3-0 lead/ Jack Hughes got the Devils on the board early in the third period, but Stefan Noesen got the goal back as the Canes won 4-1. They met to begin the new year in New Jersey in a much closer game. Derek Stepan and Jesper Bratt scored twice each as the Devils led 3-2 late in the third period. Martin Necas tied the game late in the period on the power play, sending the game to overtime. Andrei Svechnikov would provide the difference maker in the shootout, helping the Canes start 2023 on the right foot. The Canes looked like they were going to get a third win ten days later, scoring twice short-handed to lead 3-1 late in the second period. The Devils went on a torrid run, scoring four unanswered goals to win 5-3 at PNC Arena. Vitek Vanacek held the Canes in check during their final meeting, stopping 32 shots as Hughes and Bratt provided all the offense in a 3-0 win in mid-March. 

The two teams met again in the postseason, battling in the 2nd Round. The Canes dominated the first two games of the series in Raleigh, outscoring the Devils 11-2 with 5-1 and 6-1 wins. The Devils returned the favor by winning 8-4 in Game 3 despite three short-handed goals from the Hurricanes. Game 4 was another lopsided win for the Canes, winning 6-1 to send the series back to Raleigh with a chance for Carolina to close it out. Game 5 was the tightest game of the series. The game was tied 2-2 after two periods, with nothing being resolved in regulation. In overtime, Jonas Siegenthaler was called for delay of game, allowing Jesperi Kotkaniemi's shot to be deflected by Jesper Fast as the Canes finished the Devils in five games. 

Stories/Keys of the Game

1. Bad Blood is Bound to Return

With this being the first meeting since their five-game series in May, I'm sure there are bound to be some ill feelings that come to the surface tonight. The added dimension of fighting for the division crown last season could be an added layer. With Devils are coming into this game rested, while the Hurricanes are on the second half of a back-to-back. New Jersey will look to establish themselves early to take advantage of the likely tired home team. I'm not sure how ugly this one will get, but I'd expect some fireworks before it's all said and done. 

2. It's Raanta's Turn After Martin's Big Win

In Boston last night, Spencer Martin stepped up and backed the team to an important 3-2 win over the Bruins. He got the job done on a night when we didn't know what to expect. Tonight, it's Raanta's turn to step up. He's been playing a little better of late, winning four of his last seven appearances since being waived in December. This team will go as far as its goaltending takes them. The good news is that Raanta has historically been great against the Devils. He's 8-0-1 in his career with a 2.40 GAA and a shutout. 

3. Injuries and Absences Plaguing the Devils

If the Devils were playing with their full complement of players, they'd likely be in a better spot. Tonight, they'll be without Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Jonas Siegenthaler due to various injuries. Throughout the season, Timo Meier and Nico Hischier have also missed significant time. On top of that, Cal Foote and Michael McLeod have taken indefinite leaves due to matters that are speculated to be related to the 2018 Hockey Canada incident. In a bit of good news, Ondrej Palat is expected to return to the lineup. I'm sure we'll see Hughes when we meet again after the All-Star Break, but even without him in the lineup, this will be a massive undertaking for the Canes as they conclude their back-to-back.