The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils prepare for a critical Game 4 at Prudential Center on Sunday afternoon, with the Hurricanes holding a 2–1 edge in what has been a tense and hard-fought first-round series. Carolina grabbed the early momentum by taking the first two games at home with dominant defensive performances, winning 4–1 and 3–1 while suffocating New Jersey’s offensive rhythm and capitalizing on high-danger scoring chances. However, the Devils refused to fold, responding with a gritty 3–2 double-overtime victory in Game 3, fueled by strong goaltending from Jacob Markstrom and a timely goal from Jesper Bratt, to breathe new life into the series and cut the deficit to 2–1. Injuries have posed a real concern for New Jersey, with key defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler questionable for Game 4, putting added pressure on the Devils’ blue line to hold up against a Carolina team that thrives on sustained offensive zone pressure and a punishing forecheck. The Hurricanes, despite their setback in Game 3, remain confident in their structure-first approach, anchored by a suffocating defensive scheme and the steady play of goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, who has consistently frustrated New Jersey’s top scorers with his positioning and rebound control.

Offensively, Carolina has relied on balanced contributions from across its forward lines, with Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and Seth Jarvis all stepping up at key moments, while their special teams — particularly the penalty kill — have been excellent, limiting the Devils’ power-play success. For the Devils, the blueprint to success will be very similar to their Game 3 formula: disciplined defense, opportunistic scoring, and outstanding goaltending, while trying to generate more consistent five-on-five offense and avoid spending extended shifts trapped in their own zone against Carolina’s relentless attack. Betting trends suggest a tightly contested game, as neither team has been dominant against the puck line recently, although New Jersey’s record as a puck-line underdog remains encouraging for their backers. The stakes are massive: a win for Carolina would give them a commanding 3–1 series lead heading back to Raleigh with a chance to close it out, while a New Jersey victory would level the series and shift all the pressure back onto the Hurricanes. As is often the case in playoff hockey, the margin for error will be razor thin, and both sides know that winning the small battles along the boards, capitalizing on odd-man rushes, and maintaining composure under postseason pressure will ultimately decide who takes control of this heavyweight clash.