Determining Factors to Help Devils Escape Elimination
New Jersey faces possible déjà vu as they are on the brink of being eliminated, quite similar to how they were eliminated previously. This series has been quite identical to their previous matchup two years prior, where the Carolina Hurricanes won Game One and Game Two, fell short in Game Three, dominated Game Four, and moved on in overtime of Game Five. This Devils team wants anything but the same exact thing to happen, so tonight puts much pressure on them to pull to within one and shift the pressure to the Hurricanes. As disappointing as Game Four was with New Jersey failing to complete the comeback, some aspects of the game could have possibly changed this series. Game Five is just hours away, with the season on the line, New Jersey has the chance to escape elimination. These determining factors may just help them.
Remain Healthy!
Injuries have not been merciful with this Devils team all season. Jack Hughes being taken out of the postseason was a nightmare enough for fans, but they just kept hitting them. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton was fortunate to return for the postseason, but the possibility was a no-doubt nightmare again for fans. When it couldn’t get any worse, Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon got taken out in Game One, and have remained out since, including for Game Five, the nightmare just won’t end. Right now, Jonas Siegenthaler remains a game-time decision for Game Five. Fans may see him on the ice, but again, it’s just horrible. While the team has proven enough by making the postseason with an injured roster like this, making fans confident with a bright future, the injuries must come to an end if there’s any chance to steal these elimination games. More often than not, a team erases a 3-1 deficit just like that, but to do so, players need to step up, put the bodies out there, get in front of the net, and prove to the fans that this team is still as dangerous as it can be.
Help Out Markström!
No doubt, New Jersey goaltender Jacob Markström has had a few Carolina goals he would love to have back, but there’s nothing to do but keep trying to keep them in it. Markström has had his moments of soft goals, perhaps, but no fan would dare say he is the biggest problem right now in this postseason. The 35-year-old goaltender may not have his resume backed up with a Vezina Trophy, coming real close in 2022, but in that net is still the goaltender these fans have counted on all season. Markström has kept these games close, but sadly, in elimination games like this, nothing but perfection is needed if this team is to have a chance to survive. Carolina knows a thing or two about being defeated by superb goaltending in the past, but to make that happen yet again, New Jersey must help out their man in the net. Offense needs to keep shooting, with Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen injured and Pyotr Kochetkov taking over, they have their chance to make goaltending the biggest factor in pushing this away from elimination, and to Game Six in New Jersey.
Get Physical!
Physicality has the biggest chance to turn the tide of a game when it comes to the NHL. One minute the team is down by two, a big clean check is made, the gloves drop, the crowd is fired up, and more importantly, the team is too, and it’s tied just like that. Carolina is looking to not hold back on the physicality, especially on Timo Meier, who is seen as the fault of Frederik Andersen being taken out of Game Four. The Hurricanes look to get physical with some hitting. What else is there to do but just hit back, lay the body out, get the team sparked, and show them why New Jersey is here in the first place? Get physical in Raleigh to take Game Five, send it back to New Jersey, and do the same thing, get the atmosphere going for this team. The physicality has to just keep coming; let’s hope Paul Cotter, who set a franchise record with 245 hits this season, can continue to put his body out there. Fans also hope to count on players like Brett Pesce and Nico Hischier, two of their top hitters, to not hold back and spark this team to a Game Five victory and escape from elimination.
For the Season!
Regardless of the outcome tonight, this is still a Devils team that will undoubtedly please fans for the next few seasons. New Jersey fans have waited quite a long time to see a team as promising as this, and should be quite excited for this team in the future. Elimination in the postseason is always rough, but what’s even better than being proud of your team is being surprised by your team, and that’s what New Jersey looks to do tonight. A full 60 minutes of desperation from the Devils will see if the future looks even brighter next year. If two Hughes brothers are incredibly healthy for the next postseason, the defense keeps improving, followed by their worthy goaltender remaining in net, this team will be feared, and others will be smart in doing so. It all comes down to Game Five tonight. Will the Devils' season come to an end, or will they escape elimination and make fans in Raleigh leave Lenovo Center with their confidence draining?
