Hurricanes 4, Devils 2: Work remains

The Hurricanes largely controlled the run of play against the Devils, earning a well deserved two points.

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A few notes following New Jersey vs. Carolina:

Markstrom gave the Devils a chance 🎲

A quick glance at the numbers (Markstrom stopped 27 of 30) will have you thinking Jacob Markstrom put forth an ordinary performance against the Hurricanes. That was far from the case.

Normally a team that spams shots from anywhere and everywhere, the Hurricanes generated more than their fair share of quality looks Tuesday night.

Of the 30 shots Markstrom was tasked with stopping, 12 were considered high-danger. That means 40% of the shots he faced were Grade A looks. Luckily, Markstrom was up to the task.

The NHL’s leader in high-danger save percentage a season ago had no issue turning them aside early and often. He stopped 11 of the 12 HD looks he faced, which equates to a .917 save percentage against the highest quality of shots. Remarkable stuff.

Markstrom did a great job of keeping the Devils within striking distance in a game they were second best from start to finish.

There weren’t many sequences where the Devils were able to put their foot in the sand and assert themselves. They absorbed a lot of pressure and gave up a lot of looks, and Markstrom did all he could to ensure it didn’t matter.

It didn’t result in a win but that performance was a perfect illustration of why the Devils went out and acquired Markstrom.

Credit where it’s due 💳