MORNING SKATE RECAP
RALEIGH, N.C. - It's do or die for the Devils tonight and their banged-up blueline might have some more casualties.
Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler both didn't skate this morning. Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said that both would be game-time decisions. The lineup at morning skate for the team was:
Palat – Hischier – Meier
Haula – Mercer – Bratt
Cotter – Glass – Noesen
Tatar – Dowling – Bastian
Cholowski – Hamilton
Dumoulin – White
Casey – Nemec
Seamus Casey talked about the possibility of playing tonight in what would be his first career playoff game.
“It’s what I’ve dreamed about as a kid, the chance to play in the playoffs. To get a chance would be awesome,” Casey began. “There’s some nerves but I’m prepared and ready to go.”
Lining up on the left side, the right-handed blueliner was asked about his comfort level playing from that side.
“I feel comfortable. I started the year that way. I’ve played it a lot. At times, it’s advantageous when you get the puck in certain spots.”
He added that he's leaned on some of his fellow veteran blueliners for some advice.
“All the guys have been great in terms of being a veteran presence to me. They’ve given me tips here and there when I’ve asked.”
ANDERSEN OUT
The goaltending situation took center stage during the Hurricanes’ morning media availability. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour confirmed that starter Frederik Andersen will miss Game 5, labeling him “day-to-day,” and turning the net over to Pyotr Kochetkov.
Kochetkov, 25, is no stranger to NHL pressure. He appeared in 47 games during the regular season and has seen action in six postseason games over the years. Known for his more aggressive, athletic style, Kochetkov plays a sharper, more active crease compared to Andersen’s calm, positional approach.
Brind’Amour said the team wouldn’t change its defensive structure based on who is in net.
“There’s no adjustment there,” he said. “They’re different goalies for sure, but that doesn’t really change anything for us.”
Still, for the Devils, the change could open the door. Kochetkov’s aggressive style could leave more opportunities for second-chance rebounds — something New Jersey has struggled to create against Andersen’s calm and controlled manner.
"We expected to see both goalies in the series," said Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe. "The challenge remains getting to whoever is in goal."
Brind’Amour stressed that Kochetkov’s cameo in Game 4 — where he stopped 14 of 15 shots after entering cold — likely helped shake off any nerves.
“I hope it helped,” Brind’Amour said. “He’s had a lot of layoffs and come back before without missing a beat.”
STAAL HAS PRAISE FOR DEVILS CAPTAIN
As the Devils fight to extend their season, one of the most important matchups continues to be the battle between team captains Nico Hischier and Jordan Staal.
Through the first four games, Staal’s line has been deployed heavily against Hischier’s, creating a physical and strategic chess match. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour praised the job Staal has done containing New Jersey’s top forwards.
“Jordan gets the heavy lifting a lot with our group. I certainly love the way he’s playing against that [line].”
Staal returned the compliment when asked about Hischier’s growth as a player.
“He’s played great,” Staal said. “Very talented, very smart, and much stronger than you think. He shows up every shift and makes it hard on you.”
WIN ONE GAME
Coach Keefe emphasized the importance of the team not looking too far ahead. That they can't win three games tonight, only one.
"Win one hockey game. Recognize the urgency and the challenge ahead of us," Keefe said. "Take the confidence we had last time we were here that we can compete and play. We've got to execute on that shot and come out on the right side of it."
He added that the way the team starts the game will also be key.
"We were aggressive early, we were on top of them, taking away their time. Spent more time on their half of the ice. Got to our game quickly. That's what we'd be looking for, similar to Game 3. I liked our start there as well. Even Game 4, if you look at the opening face-off, we were solid from the get go but weren't able to build off it."
As the series shifts back to Raleigh for Game 5, Carolina knows New Jersey will come out with everything they have. Brind’Amour emphasized that the Hurricanes expect the Devils’ best performance yet. “We know they’re going to give us everything they have, and I would expect nothing less from our group,” he said. “We’ve always asked our guys to give it what they can, no matter the circumstances.”
New Jersey’s top offensive players — including Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier — will need to find a way to break through Carolina’s tight checking and generate more consistent offensive zone time against one of the NHL’s top defensive teams.
“They’re going to bring their best game,” Brind’Amour repeated. “We have to make sure we’re prepared for it.”
