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The New Jersey Devils are on the brink of elimination, as the Carolina Hurricanes have a 3-1 series lead after their 5-2 victory over them on Sunday afternoon.
Carolina finished the regular season with a 47-30-5 record for 99 points and second place in the Metropolitan Division. New Jersey was behind them in third place with a 42-33-7 record and 91 points.
Most predicted a series win for the Hurricanes, and on Tuesday night at Lenovo Center, the club will have their opportunity to punch their ticket to the second round in front of their rambunctious home crowd.
Below are five Devils' thoughts ahead of Game 5 in Raleigh:
The Devils power play, a regular season strength, has become the team's Achilles' heel.
After four games, the Devils' power play is 0-for-12, and they have conceded one shorthanded goal. While the Devils' power play has plagued them, the Hurricanes have converted four times.
"We have looked at everything, we have talked about it, we have met about it," head coach Sheldon Keefe told NJD.TVof the power play. "We think we have a plan. Execution is a whole different thing."
When the Devils returned to New Jersey after Games 1 and 2, The Hockey News spoke to Johnathan Kovacevic about his first taste of the postseason.
"The crowd was insane (in Raleigh)," he said. "A lot of energy and you feel your senses are kind of heightened out there - a lot of emotion and adrenaline."
He admitted feeling more comfortable in Game 2 because he knew what to expect. That led to his team-leading seven hits, a stark difference from his one in Game 1.
"It was just an area of focus for me going into Game 2, just bringing something the team would need."
In Game 3, Kovacevic suffered an injury after six minutes of ice time that kept him off the ice for the remainder of that game and Game 4. On Monday, Keefe confirmed he will not be available for Game 5. It is unfortunate his first playoff series ended as quickly as it began.
With Kovacevic, Luke Hughes, and Brenden Dillon all out of the lineup with undisclosed injuries, it has highlighted how impressive Brett Pesce and Brian Dumoulin have been for New Jersey. While Pesce has been given his flowers throughout the season, it has been a different story with Dumoulin.
Comments like "Dumoulin does not pass the analytics or eye test" have circulated on social media for months.
Dare I ask, how about now?
It is no secret that the Glass Line of Paul Cotter, Cody Glass, and Stefan Noesen has struggled in this series. The trio has spent more time in the defensive zone than their own and has been outworked in most wall battles.
"I think if we just break out of our zone quicker and give them little chance to forecheck, it goes in our favor," Glass told The Hockey News. "I think that is the biggest part of Game 1 that we talked about. "
Glass will be the first to say that hockey is all about instincts and reactions, and overthinking can throw everything off, including the cohesion among the three forwards. It leads to a mental challenge where a player makes one bad play and then becomes hesitant to make the next one.
Still, with the mental challenges and lack of cohesion, Glass knows the importance of his line needing to contribute offensively.
"The bottom two lines need to have some offense," he said. "We need to score if we want to be in the series. That is how it is going to be.
"We know that. I know that."
There is a lot of discourse around a comment Keefe made Sunday evening about his depth.
The question that Keefe was asked was, "What more do you need to see from your bottom two lines in terms of offense?"
"Offense has been a challenge for our team most of the season," Keefe responded. "To expect them to all of a sudden come out and have a dominant effort offensively is probably not realistic. We could use a goal and them chipping in for sure. [...] Depth becomes a big factor, whether it is the depth on defense because of injuries or our (forward group). We need guys to play better. (Carolina) have some quality depth, and it has been a factor in the series."
Now, let's rewind. On Dec. 16, general manager Tom Fitzgerald held a media availability. The Hockey News asked what was the next challenge he wanted to see his team overcome.
"We need more from other people, quite honestly, contributing wise, without naming any names," Fitzgerald said. "When the first line, second line doesn't score a goal, and the power play doesn't score, we don't score. We need guys to step up and start producing."
New Jersey's general manager knew depth was a concern for his team when his club, with a record of 20-10-3, was second in the Metropolitan Division.
Keefe's comment in April aligned with Fitzgerald's in December. Of course, between those two comments was a trade deadline during which prices were inflated, which led to Fitzgerald acquiring Cody Glass and Daniel Sprong.
Keefe did not share anything that had not already been said on record this season. The depth is an issue, and the general manager, coach, and depth players know it.
Make sure you "bookmark THN's New Jersey site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes
Hischier's ManagHischier's Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'
Continue reading...
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Carolina finished the regular season with a 47-30-5 record for 99 points and second place in the Metropolitan Division. New Jersey was behind them in third place with a 42-33-7 record and 91 points.
Most predicted a series win for the Hurricanes, and on Tuesday night at Lenovo Center, the club will have their opportunity to punch their ticket to the second round in front of their rambunctious home crowd.
Below are five Devils' thoughts ahead of Game 5 in Raleigh:
Special Teams
The Devils power play, a regular season strength, has become the team's Achilles' heel.
After four games, the Devils' power play is 0-for-12, and they have conceded one shorthanded goal. While the Devils' power play has plagued them, the Hurricanes have converted four times.
"We have looked at everything, we have talked about it, we have met about it," head coach Sheldon Keefe told NJD.TVof the power play. "We think we have a plan. Execution is a whole different thing."
Kovacevic's First Playoff Experience Cut Short
When the Devils returned to New Jersey after Games 1 and 2, The Hockey News spoke to Johnathan Kovacevic about his first taste of the postseason.
"The crowd was insane (in Raleigh)," he said. "A lot of energy and you feel your senses are kind of heightened out there - a lot of emotion and adrenaline."
He admitted feeling more comfortable in Game 2 because he knew what to expect. That led to his team-leading seven hits, a stark difference from his one in Game 1.
"It was just an area of focus for me going into Game 2, just bringing something the team would need."
In Game 3, Kovacevic suffered an injury after six minutes of ice time that kept him off the ice for the remainder of that game and Game 4. On Monday, Keefe confirmed he will not be available for Game 5. It is unfortunate his first playoff series ended as quickly as it began.
Speaking of Injuries...
With Kovacevic, Luke Hughes, and Brenden Dillon all out of the lineup with undisclosed injuries, it has highlighted how impressive Brett Pesce and Brian Dumoulin have been for New Jersey. While Pesce has been given his flowers throughout the season, it has been a different story with Dumoulin.
Comments like "Dumoulin does not pass the analytics or eye test" have circulated on social media for months.
Dare I ask, how about now?
Glass (Line) Reflection
It is no secret that the Glass Line of Paul Cotter, Cody Glass, and Stefan Noesen has struggled in this series. The trio has spent more time in the defensive zone than their own and has been outworked in most wall battles.
"I think if we just break out of our zone quicker and give them little chance to forecheck, it goes in our favor," Glass told The Hockey News. "I think that is the biggest part of Game 1 that we talked about. "
Glass will be the first to say that hockey is all about instincts and reactions, and overthinking can throw everything off, including the cohesion among the three forwards. It leads to a mental challenge where a player makes one bad play and then becomes hesitant to make the next one.
Still, with the mental challenges and lack of cohesion, Glass knows the importance of his line needing to contribute offensively.
"The bottom two lines need to have some offense," he said. "We need to score if we want to be in the series. That is how it is going to be.
"We know that. I know that."
Keefe's Comment After Game 4
There is a lot of discourse around a comment Keefe made Sunday evening about his depth.
The question that Keefe was asked was, "What more do you need to see from your bottom two lines in terms of offense?"
"Offense has been a challenge for our team most of the season," Keefe responded. "To expect them to all of a sudden come out and have a dominant effort offensively is probably not realistic. We could use a goal and them chipping in for sure. [...] Depth becomes a big factor, whether it is the depth on defense because of injuries or our (forward group). We need guys to play better. (Carolina) have some quality depth, and it has been a factor in the series."
Now, let's rewind. On Dec. 16, general manager Tom Fitzgerald held a media availability. The Hockey News asked what was the next challenge he wanted to see his team overcome.
"We need more from other people, quite honestly, contributing wise, without naming any names," Fitzgerald said. "When the first line, second line doesn't score a goal, and the power play doesn't score, we don't score. We need guys to step up and start producing."
New Jersey's general manager knew depth was a concern for his team when his club, with a record of 20-10-3, was second in the Metropolitan Division.
Keefe's comment in April aligned with Fitzgerald's in December. Of course, between those two comments was a trade deadline during which prices were inflated, which led to Fitzgerald acquiring Cody Glass and Daniel Sprong.
Keefe did not share anything that had not already been said on record this season. The depth is an issue, and the general manager, coach, and depth players know it.
Make sure you "bookmark THN's New Jersey site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes
Hischier's ManagHischier's Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'
Continue reading...
