The New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes will meet again on April 22, 2025, at the Lenovo Center for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series, with the Hurricanes holding a 1-0 lead after a dominant 4-1 win in Game 1. That opening matchup saw Carolina assert its postseason identity early, combining disciplined defensive structure with opportunistic scoring to take firm control of the series. The Hurricanes were efficient on special teams and displayed the kind of depth that has defined their success all season, getting goals from multiple lines while suffocating New Jersey’s attack with aggressive forechecking and positional awareness. Meanwhile, the Devils showed signs of playoff inexperience, struggling to maintain puck possession under pressure and failing to generate sustained offensive zone time, which limited their chances against Carolina’s structured system. With Carolina heavily favored again on the moneyline and the over/under set at 5.5, oddsmakers expect another tightly contested battle—though based on Game 1’s flow, the pressure now firmly rests on New Jersey to make adjustments and show they belong in this series. Carolina’s performance in Game 1 served as a clear blueprint for success: control pace, win battles along the boards, and capitalize on defensive breakdowns. The Hurricanes were methodical, controlling the neutral zone and limiting New Jersey’s ability to build speed through the middle, a critical tactic against a Devils team that thrives on transition. Their goaltender stood tall when needed, but truthfully, Carolina’s defensive structure was so effective that high-danger scoring chances for the Devils were scarce. The home crowd fueled an early push, and the team responded with a composed, well-rounded effort that highlighted why Carolina is considered one of the East’s most complete teams.

New Jersey, by contrast, couldn’t establish rhythm and often looked out of sync, especially on the power play where Carolina’s penalty kill proved disruptive and unrelenting. In Game 2, Carolina will aim to replicate that effort with more of the same—clog the lanes, outwork New Jersey’s top players, and wear down their defense with sustained zone pressure. For the Devils, Game 2 is a defining moment in their postseason narrative. They’ll need to make strategic adjustments, particularly in how they break out of the defensive zone and enter the offensive zone with control. More puck support, cleaner zone exits, and sharper power play execution are absolute necessities if they want to avoid heading home down 0-2. Players like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier must elevate their play, not just on the score sheet but in driving tempo and setting the tone with urgency and pace. Defensively, the Devils will need to tighten up their coverage and avoid the costly turnovers that led to scoring chances in Game 1. Special teams, goaltending, and leadership will all be under the microscope in what is now a near must-win situation for New Jersey. If they can weather the early storm and force Carolina into uncomfortable situations, they can flip the momentum and steal home-ice advantage. But if the Hurricanes deliver a repeat performance, it could be a long series for the Devils, and Game 2 may end up being the pivot point where the tone for the entire series is decided.