Hurricanes 5, Devils 2: On the ropes

The Devils made things interesting but a slow start ultimately proved costly.

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The Carolina Hurricanes put the New Jersey Devils on the brink of elimination with a 5-2 victory Sunday afternoon.

Here are a few thoughts on the game:

Power play woes continue

I know I’m beating a dead horse with the power play talk but it’s a pretty hard subject to avoid given the way these games are playing out.

As a whole, Carolina’s been the better team in this series. I don’t think anybody would dispute that. This could still be tied – or perhaps the Devils could even lead – if the power play contributed anything. And I don’t think I’m overstating things.

The Devils had a man-advantage opportunity late in the 1st yesterday. With a goal, a horrific start that led to a 2-0 deficit could’ve helped the Devils head into the break down just a goal. Couldn’t generate a thing.

The next (and only other) opportunity came late in the 2nd period after the Devils had scored twice to turn a 3-0 game into a 3-2 nailbiter.

With a goal, the Devils tie things up and have all the momentum in the world on home ice. Again, couldn’t generate anything.

New Jersey had two power plays where they could have swung the game. They only outshot the Hurricanes 2-1 while struggling mightily to get into the offensive zone, let alone make anything happen once getting there. And that’s been a constant the entire series.

While the Devils won Game 3, perhaps two overtimes wouldn’t have been necessary if the team didn’t go 0-5 on the power play (Carolina scored on two of four chances that game).

The Devils were within one goal of the Hurricanes for more than 59 minutes in Game 2. Maybe they steal that game if the power play doesn’t go 0-3.

Outside of Game 1, wins have been there for the taking. They really have. And the power play is a massive reason the Devils haven’t capitalized.

They were objectively one of the best power play teams in the league during the regular season. You wouldn’t know it watching these playoffs.

The Devils have spent almost 24 minutes on the power play – 3rd most thus far – and are the only team that hasn’t scored. They’re also one of five that have conceded.

Instead of talking about how the Devils can take a series lead in Game 5, we’re focused on whether or not it’ll be the last game of the year. More than anything, the power play struggles are responsible for that.

Timo Meier was a force