The New Jersey Devils may have left Raleigh, North Carolina, down 0-2 in the series, but there was one silver lining. A realization from their Game 2 loss.
The New Jersey Devils may have left Raleigh, North Carolina, down 0-2 in the series, but there was one silver lining. A realization from their Game 2 loss.
A pathway to beat the Carolina Hurricanes.
It would not necessarily be their skill alone, but the Devils' work ethic and compete that could lead to a victory in the Eastern Conference First Round.
"(Game 2) definitely showed us what works and what can be successful," Johnathan Kovacevic told The Hockey News ahead of Game 3. "We have to make sure that we know it was our work and compete that got us a chance to win that game. It is not going to guarantee us a win every game, but we have to bring that level of competitiveness, that edge, that physicality, just to have a chance. They are a great team on the other side, and we have to continue to raise our game."
With the Devils' backs against the wall, they and the Hurricanes took the ice at Prudential Center for Game 3 Friday night.
Kovacevic played a mere six minutes before leaving the game with an injury. The Devils' saving grace was the surprise return of 27-year-old Jonas Siegenthaler, who played 27:09, the most ice time he has had all season.
With luck against them, the Devils would have to find a way to secure a victory in a must-win game, and it would be the team's five defensemen who would lead the way.
Brett Pesce, who, head coach Sheldon Keefe admitted, is not at 100 percent, blocked six shots. Trade deadline acquistion Brian Dumoulin had another impressive outing playing a team-leading 36:24 of ice time with five blocked shots and four hits.
Youngster Simon Nemec scored the biggest goal of his career, the double overtime game-winning goal to seal a 2-1 Game 3 victory, making the series 2-1, Carolina.
"I am just so impressed with our team tonight," Keefe said. "The defense, in particular, obviously. So fitting that Nemec gets the game winner for us. Our whole team, just the way that we dug in here tonight, stayed with it. I thought the forwards did their part to help take care of the D, but those guys digging in."
New Jersey's team, propelled by the 16,682 fans in attendance, never gave up, despite seeing a 2-0 lead dissipate to end regulation deadlocked at 2. In the first overtime, the Devils outshot their opponent 9-2, and in the second, 3-1, before Nemec's game-clinching goal.
"I am proud of our group here, tonight," Keefe said. "I learned a lot about the character of our team today."
Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer scored in regulation, while Jesper Bratt picked up his third point of the series. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves on 27 shots.
The Devils remain in a deficit in this series, but over the first three games, Bratt has seen his team improve and take on a positive trajectory over the first three games.
"We have been talking about that ever since the series started," Bratt said. "To grow with the series and get better and better with each game. I think that so far in the series, we have done that. We have executed a little bit better. I think our time with the puck has been better. We are making better decisions with the puck. I think we have been growing with the series."
The Devils still need to overcome hurdles in the series, like their decimated blue line and special teams play. Still, if Keefe's team can come out with that same work ethic and compete, New Jersey will have a fighting chance to head back to Raleigh, North Carolina, with the series even at 2.
Game 4 against the Hurricanes is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.
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