The New Jersey Devils hosted the Carolina Hurricanes for Game 3 of Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The game took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey with an 8 p.m. puck drop. New Jersey secured a much needed win, 3-2.
Prior to Friday night, the Devils had been down 2-0 in Round 1 against Carolina. The Devils played this game while being down defensemen Brendon Dillon and Luke Hughes. Fortunately, Jonas Siegenthaler has returned to the lineup after suffering an injury during the regular season. He has been an adamant addition that the Devils needed while being 0-2 in the series, holding his shape but staying firm with how much physical contact comes in to play.
Within four minutes of the first period, New Jersey had already obtained five shots on goal. Devils captain Nico Hischier opened up the scoring, putting the Devils up 1-0 on the board. This is now Hischiers second playoff goal of the series. Timo Meier picks up the primary assist along with a credited assist to Alternate Captain Ondrej Palat. The Devils led 1-0 as the first period concluded. Shots on goal: 8-3 in favor of the Devils.
The second period commenced and New Jersey played extremely well. They kept their momentum, securing a consistent 1-0 lead over Carolina. The team headed into the third period with 17 shots on goal, Carolina with 18.
After two periods, Jonas Siegenthaler had a total ice time of 10:25 going into the third. Brian Dumoulin had played over 17 minutes in the last two periods (and over 35 minutes during the third plus OT). Brian Dumoulin and Simon Nemec have stepped up and they both played an amazing game on Friday night.
In the opening of the third, at 1:30, Dawson Mercer lights the lamp to give the Devils a 2-0 lead. This was Mercer’s first goal of the postseason and he is absolutely thrilled. Mercer’s goal has extended Jesper Bratt’s three-game point streak, Bratt is credited with the assist. Shortly after, Hurricanes Seth Jarvis scores on the power play, the Devils still lead 2-1. Not long after, Sebastian Aho scored on the Hurricanes fourth power play of the night, tying the game 2-2 with under 8 minutes remaining in the third. Delay of game penalty on Devils Brett Pesce, gives Carolina the advantage.
Concluding the third, Carolina has pushed the game into overtime with a 2-2 tie game for the first time this series. In overtime, Carolina got a tripping penalty, sending the Devils a power play—But the Devils had no advantage on the power play. With less than six minutes remaining in overtime, New Jersey received another power play.
The game gets pushed into a double overtime, the longest game played at the Prudential Center in history. Simon Nemec scores the overtime winner in double overtime. One of Nemec’s best games yet—Over 20 minutes of time on ice, the young star secured the Devils win, 3-2. The Devils looked incredibly strong, improving their strategies from Games 1 and 2. The Devils fought until the end and were able to get back into the series.
The series is now 2-1, as Carolina leads. The New Jersey Devils will host Game 4 on Sunday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m.
