The New Jersey Devils are now in a precarious position after dropping both games in their opening round Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Despite taking a 1-0 lead in the first period thanks to Jesper Bratt, the Devils allowed Hurricanes goals from Shayne Gostisbehere, Jordan Martinook, and Seth Jarvis.
With their 3-1 victory at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., the Hurricanes now have a two-games-to-none stranglehold over the Devils as the series now shifts to Newark, N.J., for Games 3 and 4.
Devils Fans Seem To Sense the Series Is All but Officially Over
There was an aura of despondency surrounding Devils fans on social media in the immediate aftermath of the game.
A Devils fan refused to make the trip to Newark for Game 3, saying, “I am NOT wasting my time going to Newark on Friday, [April 25]. Absolutely not. Series is over.”
I am NOT wasting my time going to Newark on Friday. Absolutely not. Series is over.
— amanda 🦀 (@a_pittigher) April 23, 2025
One fan seemed ready to throw in the towel, saying, “Just two more to go thank god this team is just lost without [Jack Hughes] I hope I’m wrong but this is just not a playoff team.”
Another fan was ready to fire head coach Sheldon Keefe after only one season on the job, saying, “Fire kefee enough said the man is the worst HC in the league doesn’t make any changes and is a perennial loser.”
Another fan called out the Devils for a lack of toughness by saying, “Teams too soft for playoff hockey.”
Teams too soft for playoff hockey.
— Cooter (@Kdwhit69) April 23, 2025
This Devils fan had a bone to pick with management and the roster construction, saying, “Season can’t end fast enough. Watching This offense makes you sick. It’s all on the GM. Had no offense even with Jack healthy.”
Devils Coach Sheldon Keefe Pointed to Special Teams as Main Culprit
Following the 3-1 loss, Keefe, the Devils’ head coach who was hired shortly after he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs last offseason, pointed toward losing the special teams battle as the main reason for their setback.
“Special teams are the difference,” Keefe said. “We knew coming into this series our power play has been our edge all season long and it was going to be a real challenge for us going up against this penalty kill and it could be a big factor in the series and it’s really what, in a lot of ways, been the story in the first two games.”
Martinook’s goal, which proved to be the game-winner, was shorthanded. Meanwhile, the Devils failed to capitalize on three separate power-play chances.
The Devils and Hurricanes will play Game 3 at Prudential Center on Friday evening.