Hughes to make playoff debut for Devils against Hurricanes in Game 3

NEWARK, N.J. --Luke Hughes will make his Stanley Cup Playoff debut when the New Jersey Devils play the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Prudential Center on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET; TBS, SN1, TVAS).

"I think it's definitely excitement," Hughes said after practice on Saturday. "I don't really get nervous. I get more nervous watching the game, in the stands, but no nerves out there. I'm very excited and definitely ready to play."

The 19-year-old defenseman will replace Ryan Graves, who is out with an upper-body injury he sustained in a 6-1 loss at Carolina in Game 2 on Friday.

The Hurricanes lead the best-of-7 series 2-0.

"I think it's just playing my game and really having a fast transition with my legs and with my passing ability, so that's kind of one thing I can help this team with," Hughes said. "I just want to focus on my transition game, playing fast, getting back to pucks and helping in the breakouts and in the neutral zone and then doing my thing in the offensive zone.

"I'm very ready and very prepared."

RELATED: [Complete Hurricanes vs. Devils series coverage]

Devils center Jack Hughes has a good idea what his younger brother will bring to the lineup.

"We need puck movers, we need guys that can transport the puck out of the zone," Jack said. "That's what we've been missing a bit in the first two games, and Luke's a guy who can get the puck in and out of the zone and be a threat on the rush. We're a fast team and we need guys that are moving the puck. ... Our defense has done a good job of that all year."

Luke Hughes, who was selected by the Devils with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, turned pro last month after two seasons at the University of Michigan. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on April 8, two days after Michigan was eliminated in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. His oldest brother is Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Luke had 87 points (27 goals, 60 assists) in 80 games during his two seasons with Michigan. He had 48 points (10 goals, 38 assists) in 39 games as a sophomore this season to help them go 26-12-3 and reach the Frozen Four for the second straight season.

He had two points (one goal, one assist) in two regular-season games with New Jersey this season, scoring in overtime of a 5-4 win at the Washington Capitals on April 13.

"I think the biggest thing watching this series is, Carolina is just above (the puck) the whole game, so having a fast transition game can hopefully undermine that a little bit," Luke said. "I've noticed they're above all night, they use their matchups really well to capitalize most of their opportunities. They're a very patient team, but when they get their chances, they're really deadly."

New Jersey returned to practice on Saturday, less than 24 hours after another lopsided loss. They were outplayed and outworked in consecutive games, losing Games 1 and 2 by an 11-2 margin, including 9-2 at 5-on-5.

The good news is they are now returning home, where they won Games 5 and 7 against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference First Round by identical 4-0 scores.

"Personally, it's super exciting to be at home," Luke said. "The one game I played here, I heard the 'Luke' chants, and that was awesome. The fans have been great."

The Devils rallied from a similar 0-2 deficit against the Rangers. After dropping Games 1 and 2 by identical 5-1 scores, New Jersey won four of the next five games to advance to the second round for the first time in 11 years.

"We played a real good Game 5 and Game 7 against the Rangers, and the energy in the building (in Carolina in Games 1-2) is something that I think [Carolina] built off, and we will build off the energy in our building," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "But you have to play well, too, at the same time. I think it'll be something that'll give us a little added boost."

There's also a chance Vitek Vanecek will replace Akira Schmid as the starter in Game 3 after the latter was pulled in each of the first two games against the Hurricanes. Vanecek played the third period of Game 2 after Schmid allowed four goals on 25 shots, and Schmid was pulled 1:55 into the second period after allowing three goals on 11 shots in Game 1.

It wouldn't come as a surprise after Schmid appeared out of sorts for the first time in these playoffs in Game 2, allowing four goals on 16 shots in the second period.

"There is a possibility Vitek will start Game 3," Ruff said.