The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils will meet for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on April 25, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark with the Hurricanes holding a decisive 2-0 series lead following back-to-back home victories. Carolina enters this contest as one of the most structurally sound and defensively disciplined teams in the league, and that identity has translated seamlessly into playoff execution, with the Canes winning Game 1 by three goals and Game 2 by two, controlling the tempo and dominating puck possession throughout both games. Powered by a deep, veteran-laden roster that includes Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Martin Necas, Carolina’s offensive push has come in waves, overwhelming New Jersey’s defense and finding ways to convert sustained zone time into goals, often through screens and rebounds that challenge goaltenders to track the puck under pressure. On the back end, Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns have led the way with strong outlet passes and physicality in front of Frederik Andersen, who has been a calming force in net with a stellar save percentage and timely stops that have nullified New Jersey’s bursts of transition offense. The Hurricanes’ special teams have also been key in tilting the ice: their power play has struck at opportune moments, while their penalty kill has been air-tight, aggressively pressuring puck carriers and clearing rebounds before they become secondary scoring chances.

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour has his team operating like a playoff machine—disciplined, relentless on the forecheck, and patient in the neutral zone—while the Devils now face a steep challenge to claw their way back into the series. New Jersey’s biggest struggle thus far has been their inability to get clean looks in the slot and finish high-danger opportunities, a trend that must be reversed immediately if they hope to make Game 3 competitive. Returning home may offer the jolt the Devils need, as they aim to rediscover the speed and creativity that made them one of the NHL’s most exciting teams during the regular season. With a 19-17-5 record at the Prudential Center, New Jersey hasn’t always been dominant at home, but the energy from their fans and the urgency of the moment could bring out their best. Carolina, however, has thrived in road environments this year and knows that a win in Game 3 puts them in prime position to close the series in four, avoiding unnecessary travel and giving themselves rest before Round 2. The Hurricanes are playing with a level of confidence and cohesion that’s difficult to rattle, but the Devils still have the firepower and athleticism to mount a response—if they can adjust their breakout structure, get more aggressive in front of Andersen, and get better puck touches from their top line. This is the kind of playoff game where momentum can shift early, and if New Jersey can strike first and avoid falling into an early deficit, they’ll have a shot to pull themselves back into contention. Otherwise, the Hurricanes could continue to impose their pace and experience, tightening their grip on a series that’s been trending decisively in their favor since the opening puck drop. Game 3 represents the last true pivot point for the Devils—either they flip the script, or the Hurricanes close the curtain.