The New Jersey Devils are going to have an even harder time against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 than they did in Game 1, as they're going to be down not just one, but two more blueliners.
Devils coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed pre-game that Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon will not be in the lineup tonight for the Devils after sustaining injuries in Game 1.
"It's obviously big losses for us, clearly," Keefe said. "But it's not unlike anything we've faced in the regular season. The message remains the same in terms of our team's ability and need to step up. The group has to rise above it. We've been able to do it before and I expect the same."
Hughes, 21, is an emerging star for New Jersey, as his 44 points led all blueliners all while averaging over 21 minutes a night.
He went down hard in the third period trying to defend a rush attempt by Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and he was seen holding and pointing to his left shoulder area.
While he did return to the game, it's apparent now that his injury is bad enough to keep him out of action.
Dillon, 34, is one of the Devils' most physical players, with 191 hits and 108 blocks playing all 82 games of the regular season.
He got tangled up with William Carrier in the second period and appeared to hit his head on the ice. He tried to stand up multiple times, falling each, before being helped to the locker room. He did not return.
"For every player, it's going to be a little bit different, but I think if that's something that resonates with you, you need to let it drive you," Keefe said when asked if it can be a rallying moment for the locker room. "But we need to have our own motivation as a team to just find another level and not be happy with how it went the other day."
In their places, Dennis Cholowski and 2022 second-overall pick Simon Nemec will draw into the lineup.
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