“New Jersey Devils fall to Carolina Hurricanes with 6-1 defeat in playoff series”

NEW YORK. Now, at least the New Jersey Devils haven’t started both of their streaks with double 5-1 losses.

I nattens andra match mot Carolina åkte de, efter en storartad insats av finländaren Jesperi Kotkaniemi, på Stryk med 6-1 instead…

– We should be really pissed off, says captain Nico Hischier.

It seemed for a while that the Devils were stuck in a peculiar 5-1 trap in the opening of their Stanley Cup series.

It was with those numbers that they lost the opening two games against the New York Rangers – before turning the tables and sinking their worst rival – and the same way the first game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh ended on Wednesday.

And indeed: Even in the return of the night, the Canes had a 5-1 lead for a while, but in the end former Devils player Stefan Noesen scored another goal, so Jesper Bratt & co at least avoided questions about the 5-1 curse.

But they are still in a 0-2 deficit.

– We showed in the last series that we can come back after being in this situation and we have to make sure to do it again. We have nothing to gain by feeling sorry for ourselves, says star Timo Meier.

However, the Jersey Devils should be cursed on themselves, thinks captain Nico Hischier.

– It worries me that they struggle more than we do. We should be really pissed off about that, he says.

– We have a lot of talent here, but talent means nothing in the playoffs if you don’t fight all the time.

full screen

However, it also happens to be a fact that the Hurricanes played a brilliant game and, unlike in their series against the New York Islanders, looked like a true contender.

Above all, 22-year-old Finn Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a big night. First, he established himself in respect with a couple of thunderous tackles in the first period. Then he scored two goals in the space of just over two minutes at the start of the second period and thus took the air out of the visitors.

– But just about everyone contributed tonight. It was exactly this type of effort we talked about getting throughout the playoffs. I am very satisfied, says coach Rod Brind’Amour.

Jesper Fast accounted for an assist.

The next match in the series will be played in Newark on Sunday, 21.30 Swedish time.