New Jersey looks to get its first win of the Second Round series in Game 3 at home
BySam Kasan
NewJerseyDevils.com
The Devils look to bounce back from their road sweep at Carolina as the series shifts to New Jersey. Puck drop on Saturday at Prudential Center is set for 3:30 p.m.
You can watch the game on TBS or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.
Check back prior to puck drop for your pre-game story and pre-game videos. Read below for your game preview!
NEWARK, NJ - With the afternoon puck drop, the Devils did not hold a morning skate. Head coach Lindy Ruff met with the media two hours ahead of game.
No Goalie Reveal
One question for the Devils entering Game 3 is which goaltender will start. Rookie Akira Schmid started Games 1 and 2 but was pulled in both contests in favor of Vitek Vanecek.
Ruff has a policy of never revealing his starting goaltender. That didn't stop a media member from slyly asking, "Vitek?"
"You tried to slide that in," Ruff laughed. "Good try."
Cool Hand Luke
Ruff was asked if Luke Hughes, who will make his NHL playoff debut in Game 3, had any nerves prior to the game.
"He doesn't seem like there are any jitters. He's excited to play," Ruff said. "Once you get on the ice, you get in the moment, I think his legs can help him."
The coaching staff has done its best to prepare Hughes for what to expect in the game.
"Luke has seen the video. He's seen the meeting. He understands where the pressure is coming from," Ruff said. "You have to be ready for that, how hard they forecheck. It's a big moment, big game with a team that's playing well."
PREVIEW
Game 3
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET; Televised on TBS
RADIO: 3:30 p.m. ET; Live on Devils Hockey Network
SERIES SCHEDULE: Carolina Leads 2-0
Game 1: Hurricanes 5, Devils 1
Game 2: Hurricanes 6, Devils 1
Game 3: Sunday, May 7, 3:30 p.m., at New Jersey, TBS
Game 4: Tuesday, May 9, 7 p.m., at New Jersey, ESPN
\Game 5: Thursday, May 11, time TBD, at Carolina, TNT
\Game 6: Saturday, May 13, time TBD, at New Jersey, ESPN
*Game 7: Monday, May 15, time TBD, at Carolina, ESPN
NJD: Michael McLeod has been a consistent performer all throughout this postseason. He was one of the more effective players in Games 1 and 2 against Carolina, continuing to play in all situations, taking the important faceoffs and his fourth line has scored both goals for New Jersey in the series. McLeod assisted on both goals (Nathan Bastian, Miles Wood) and also had the game-winning goal in Game 7 against the NY Rangers.
CAR: Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored two goals in Game 2's 6-1 victory. He also added a game-high six shots, two hits and won 59-percent of his faceoffs. He has three goals in the series.
By the Numbers:
Devils
The Devils have been outscored 11-2 in the first two games.
Bastian (1g-1a) and McLeod (2a) both lead the Devils in scoring in the Second Round series.
Miles Wood scored his first career playoff goal in Game 2.
Vitek Vanecek replaced Akira Schmid in both games.
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have the top penalty kill of the post-season with an incredible 95 percent efficiency. The Carolina penalty killers took care of business going 6-for-6 against New Jersey.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi's goal in Game 1 was his first goal in 21 playoff games with Carolina.
Game 2 Recap: Hurricanes 6, Devils 1
The Hurricanes sweep the opening two games of the Second Round series at home following a 6-1 victory Friday night at PNC Arena.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored twice while Jordan Staal, Martin Necas, Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen also tallied.
Miles Wood scored the lone goal for New Jersey, his first-career playoff goal.
Game 1 Recap: Hurricanes 5, Devils 1
The Hurricanes took the Devils by storm with a 5-1 win in the opening game of the Second Round series Wednesday night at PNC Arena.
Brett Pesce, Seth Jarvis, Jesper Fast, Brady Skjei and Jesperi Kotkaniemi all posted goals.
Nathan Bastian scored the lone goal for New Jersey, his first-career playoff goal.
2022-23 Regular-Season Series Recap
The Devils and Hurricanes split their season series with two wins a piece. The Devils (2-1-1) had the edge in points over the Hurricanes (2-2-0).
The Hurricanes won the opening game of the four regular season meetings between the two teams, on Dec. 20, 2022. The two teams met on New Years Day in New Jersey where Carolina beat the Devils in the shootout, 5-4. The Devils won the final two games of the regular season between the clubs, first a 5-3 win in Raleigh and in the final game between the two clubs this season, New Jersey shutout Carolina in a 3-0 final with Vitek Vanecek posting the victory.
By the Numbers (Regular Season):
Devils
Set franchise records in 2022-23 with 52 wins and 112 points. The club also set an NHL record with a 49-point improvement from last season (82-game schedule).
The Devils led the NHL and set a franchise record this season with 26 comeback victories and nine multiple-goal comebacks.
The Devils tied a franchise record with 28 road victories this year, going 28-9-4.
The Devils had two 40-goal scorers on the roster: Hughes, 43; Timo Meier, 40.
