Apr 25, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against the New Jersey Devils during the first overtime in game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. (Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images)The Carolina Hurricanes came up short in double overtime, falling 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils in Game 3 despite rallying from a 2-0 hole in the third period.
The Hurricanes now lead the series 2-1 and will get back at it for Game 4 on Sunday at 3:30 again in Newark.
Here are 10 takeaways from Game 3:
- Overtime was really bad for Carolina Friday night. Obviously, they allowed the game-winner, but the Canes just couldn't build any momentum and were outshot 12-3 after regulation. The two tripping penalties didn't help that along, but the team was taking on water at 5v5 too as they were outchanced 28-13 at even strength too.
- It's a shame that the team threw away another elite Frederik Andersen performance. The 35-year-old netminder stood on his head in his 82:36 of ice time, making 34 saves and turning aside 1.52 goals above expected. And with the workload he had to take on, the probability he plays Sunday afternoon feels low.
- At least special teams was good. The penalty kill was superb, killing off all five of New Jersey's power plays. The team put in the work tonight when they were shorthanded, blocking shots and getting clears even when key killers were in the box.
- The power play is also starting to come along too. After going 1-for-6 in the first two games of the series, the Hurricanes potted two on the man advantage when they most needed it to convert. The team's two leading scorers Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho each potted one, so perhaps the Canes can start to get that aspect of the game rolling along.
- The Canes have to do a better job of getting shots on net. After putting up 45 shots on goal in Game 1, the Hurricanes registered just 28 and 27 in Games 2 and 3. The Devils have made the adjustments in their in-zone defending and it's given Carolina a lot of trouble in terms of actually getting pucks to the net (New Jersey had 33 blocks Friday night). If they want to put pressure on Markstrom and generate offense, they have to get pucks through.
- After a lackluster start, Rod Brind'Amour mixed up his forward lines and had some mixed results. Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Andrei Svechnikov continued to be the team's most consistent offensive generators (80.95 CF%, 73.67 xGF%) this time with Jordan Martinook on the opposite wing to provide more defensive responsibility as opposed to Taylor Hall, but they still haven't been able to produce. On the opposite side, the new fourth line of Eric Robinson, Jack Roslovic and Hall got absolutely cratered (28.57 CF% 25.96 xGF%, 5 high-danger chances against), and gave up the game-winning goal. The other two lines were fine, but not really anything great at 5v5 either.
- The game-winning goal was especially not a great look for the team's third pair and fourth line. Jack Roslovic had the initial turnover, as he threw the puck away to the opposite end of the ice and then Shayne Gostisbehere got danced around after a weak effort to hold the blueline. Roslovic was also slow to recognize the threat his turnover created as Nemec was entering the o-zone and therefore wasn't close enough to get a stick on the shot.
- Could we see any player adjustments for Game 4? The team has Mark Jankowski and Alexander Nikishin waiting in the wings, so it's not like it would be a downgrade for them to swap a player or two out for Sunday's game. The option is definitely there.
- New Jersey has been losing defensemen left and right in this series (which is a big testament to their ability to hang around). Despite the return of Jonas Siegenthaler, Johnathan Kovacevic was injured in Game 3 and did not play in the second period or beyond. He would make the third blueliner injury for the Devils this series along with Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce all not being 100% either. The longer the series goes, the more you think things are going to worsen for them.
- I will say, when these two teams met in the second round in 2023, the Hurricanes took a 2-0 series lead, lost Game 3, and then proceeded to win the next two to advance. Will history repeat itself?
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