Kovacevic Out, Cholowski In as Devils Ready for Game 4 | PRE-GAME NOTES

ROUND 1

NEW JERSEY DEVILS vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES

Series: Hurricanes lead 2-1

The Devils aim to tie the series up at 2-2 if they can build off their dramatic Game 3 double-overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

You can watch on MSGSN, TBS, TruTV or MAX and listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Read below for your game preview plus news and notes from the pre-game media availability.

PRE-GAME AVAIL RECAP

NEWARK, NJ - The Devils and Hurricanes are about ready for a huge Game 4 that could continue the strong momentum that the Devils have built or send it back Carolina's direction. Puck drop is set for 3:50 p.m. ET as the Devils look to even the First Round series on home ice.

Both head coaches spoke to the media ahead of today’s contest and stressed the importance of a strong start — especially in a tight, physical series like this one.

“Both teams are trying to get off to a good start. That’s what you want,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “When it doesn’t happen, you have to press the game like we did the other night — you’ve got to dig in. You’d obviously rather play from in front.”

Brind’Amour confirmed that Carolina will go with the same lineup from Game 3. There was maybe some question with the short turnaround and Friday's lengthy affair whether goaltender Freddie Andersen would be good to go, but Brind'Amour said he was fine without question.

On the Devils’ side, head coach Sheldon Keefe announced one lineup change on defense. Dennis Cholowski will enter the lineup, replacing Johnathan Kovacevic, who was injured early last outing. Otherwise, the Devils’ forward lines remain intact after a strong push in Game 3. There was no update on Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon for this game or any future games in this series.

HAULA CONTRIBUTING

Keefe praised veteran Erik Haula for his contributions, highlighting the positive effect of moving him to the wing alongside Dawson Mercer.

“You can credit his experience and his competitiveness,” Keefe said. “His game’s been in a really good place since we moved him out of center onto the wing with Mercer. It’s giving him more energy and quickness on the forecheck. It’s complemented both he and Mercer.”

Keefe also emphasized the team’s growth throughout the series, particularly from Game 2 to Game 3, when the Devils secured a thrilling double-overtime victory to get back into it.

“Just the realization of what it takes,” Keefe said. “Your back against the wall, injuries, fatigue — we were feeling it going through that game the other night. We have one game in front of us today in our building and we’ll do everything we can to take care of it.”

LINEUP UPDATES

The Devils are expected to roll out the following forward combinations once again:

Palat – Hischier – Meier
Haula – Mercer – Bratt
Cotter – Glass – Noesen
Tatar – Dowling – Bastian

The defense pairings will be determined closer to puck drop but will involve a mix of Pesce, Siegenthaler, Hamilton, Dumoulin, Nemec, and Cholowski.

Keefe stressed the importance of “controlled emotion” heading into today’s matinee, recognizing the fine line between intensity and discipline.

“Your intensity has to be at the highest level but your ability to control your emotions also has to be on high alert,” Keefe said. “It’s a big challenge.”

The Hurricanes are expected to use the same lineup as Game 3:

Jarvis - Aho - Blake
Hall - Kotkaniemi - Svechnikov
Martinook - Staal - Stankoven
Carrier - Roslovic - Robinson

Slavin - Burns
Orlov - Chatfield
Gostisbehere - Walker

With a chance to even the series and defend home ice, the Devils will look to feed off the energy of a packed Prudential Center.

GARDEN STATE MORNING SKATE PODCAST

THE SCOOP

The Devils return to the ice at Prudential Center this afternoon with a major opportunity: a chance to even their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes after a thrilling double-overtime win in Game 3.

Friday’s 3–2 victory was one of the gutsiest performances of the season for the Devils. Simon Nemec played hero, scoring his first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal 9:33 into the second overtime — ending the longest game ever played at Prudential Center.

“Not many things in hockey feel better than that,” Nemec said afterward. “It’s a moment I’ll remember my whole life.”

The Devils needed every ounce of resilience to get it done. Already missing Brenden Dillon and Luke Hughes due to injuries, New Jersey lost defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic early in Game 3 after a collision along the boards. Forced to play more than three periods with just five defensemen, the blue line leaned heavily on Brian Dumoulin (36:24 of ice time) , Brett Pesce (32:30), Dougie Hamilton (31:16) and Jonas Siegenthaler (27:11). Nemec played 22:39 and his freshness showed in an impressive overtime performance.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe praised the group’s effort, saying, “That was a hard hockey game out there and our guys just dug in and found a way.”

Jacob Markstrom was once again a rock in net, stopping 25 shots and keeping the Devils steady during extended stretches of pressure from Carolina. Markstrom has now posted a .929 save percentage through the first three games of the series.

Offensively, Jesper Bratt remained a driving force, extending his playoff point streak to three games (1g–2a). His line with Nico Hischier has consistently generated high-danger chances at 5-on-5, even as the Devils continue to search for their first power-play goal of the series.

The special teams battle remains a critical storyline. The Hurricanes’ penalty kill has been perfect so far, going 10-for-10 through three games. Carolina’s power play, meanwhile, is operating at a strong 30% clip.

“We have to keep believing,” said Bratt. “When we play with speed and we play to our strengths, we can be a tough team to beat.”

From Carolina’s perspective, Game 3 was a missed opportunity to push New Jersey to the brink. Frederik Andersen, who has been sharp with a 1.48 goals-against average and .943 save percentage, is expected to get the nod again in net. The Hurricanes will no doubt look to tighten their structure and regain their special teams advantage.

Keefe emphasized that the Game 3 win is something to savor briefly — but the urgency only grows from here. “You can feel good about the result, but you have to continue to get better,” he said. “Every game gets harder.”

The Devils will once again be without Dillon and Hughes, and Kovacevic’s status remains uncertain heading into puck drop. That means the same “Fantastic Five” defense group that carried them through Game 3 may be called upon again with a possible reinsertion of Dennis Cholowski.

SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1: Devils at Hurricanes, Lost 1-4
Game 2: Devils at Hurricanes, Lost 1-3
Game 3: Hurricanes at Devils, Won 3-2 (2OT)
Game 4: Hurricanes at Devils, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET
Game 5: Devils at Hurricanes, April 29, 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 6: Hurricanes at Devils, May 2, time TBD*
Game 7: Devils at Hurricanes, May 4, time TBD*

*If necessary

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Devils captain Nico Hischier has quietly been one of their most consistent players through the first three games. Hischier logged 26:34 of ice time in Game 3 — the most among Devils forwards — and was heavily leaned on in all situations, including key penalty kills and overtime shifts. His ability to drive possession and generate scoring chances has been critical as the Devils look to build momentum.

Hurricanes: Seth Jarvis continues to be a key playoff performer for the Hurricanes. He scored the tying goal in the third period of Game 3 to send it to overtime, capitalizing on a net-front scramble. Jarvis has shown the ability to finish in tight spaces, something Carolina has leaned on heavily in their aggressive forechecking style.

INJURIES

Devils: Kovacevic (undisclosed, day-to-day), L.Hughes (undisclosed, out), Dillon (undisclosed, out), J.Hughes (shoulder, LTIR),

Hurricanes: Fast (neck, LTIR)

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

• Oct. 15 at Hurricanes, 4-2 L
• Nov. 21 vs. Hurricanes, 4-2 W
• Dec. 27 vs. Hurricanes, 4-2 W
• Dec. 28 at Hurricanes, 5-2 L