When the puck dropped Sunday, as Devils fans, we all hoped that this would be a new season/new team type of transformation. Instead, we saw a carbon copy of the prior four months. As they often have since January, the Devils fell behind early, got out puck possessed, outshot, received little to nothing from their bottom six, and saw their opponent capitalize on every opportunity while NJ did the contrary. We must realize that this is just one game, and it is…well can be, a long series. However, if the Devils don’t figure out a way to generate more offense, and limit that of the Canes, this series may be over even quicker than we had expected.

The Numbers
New Jersey was dominated by Carolina in all key offensive categories on Sunday afternoon. Sheldon Keefe’s boys were outshot 45 to 24 in the game, including a first period 17-5 drubbing, and an even worse 21-8 margin in the second period. The Devils did outshoot the Hurricanes 11-7 in the third, but how much of that can be attributed to the Canes falling into prevent/lead protect mode? Other key O-zone stats in which Carolina dominated include slot shots (18-7), high danger scoring chances (11-4), chances off of cycle (14-4), and O-zone possession time (6:58-3:49).
For now it’s back to the drawing board for Sheldon Keefe and his staff. Defensively the Devils game was OK. The offense on the other hand needs an injection of energy that with Jack Hughes missing, I’m not so sure exists with this team. The lone Devils goal came from of a low danger area, but elite level snipe by Nico Hischier, who caught goaltender Frederik Andersen a bit off of his angle. If Andersen doesn’t misplay that, and Nico doesn’t rip an all world wrister off the pipe and in, we would be staring that dreaded graphic at the top of our screen next game; “Devils No Goals In Last XX:XX”. Please let’s avoid that at all costs this series.

Timo Meier
It’s games like Game one in Raleigh where Meier detractors come out and say his performance was terrible. It’s games like Game one in Raleigh that I tell those bozos to WATCH THE GAME NOT JUST THE PUCK AND THE BOX SCORE! Leading all devils in XGF,(and second in the game only behind Hurricane forward Eric Robinson) Meier was a hurricane of his own on Sunday, taking a piece of every Carolina player that got in his way. Timo’s play without the puck and behind the play is exactly what you need this time of the year. Like my grandmother always used to say, “if someone likes playing against you, you’re not doing your job.” Okay, fine…she didn’t say that either, but I highly doubt any opposing player was happy to see 28 hop over the boards on Sunday.

Oh, The Carnage
Brendan Dillon, Cody Glass and Luke Hughes all left game one with injuries. Fortunately for New Jersey Luke Hughes did return after leaving the ice holding his arm to support his shoulder in an eerily similar way that brother, Jack reacted to his season ending injury earlier in the year. The apparent dislocation must have been minor enough that it was reset and hopefully won’t require further medical attention at this time.
In the post game Coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned that Brendan Dillon had to be “pulled off the ice” wanting to return to action, but was held out for precaution.
No word on Cody Glass who was a victim of an errant Jacob Markstrom sickle type of swipe in the third. The friendly fire came when the big Swedish tendy swung his stick like a harvesting tool in an attempt to clear the net front. Glass went down holding his knee and was helped to the locker room by the Devils training staff.

Honorable Mention
Captain Nico Hischier was phenomenal again. Scoring the only Devils goal and pacing play regardless of his line mates which did change throughout. Every time 13 was on the ice, the play was tilted in New Jersey’s favor.

Dishonorable Discharge
The Cody Glass-Paul Cotter-Daniel Sprong line was not great. Coach Keefe even eluded to their struggles in the post game press conference stating that the line was “taking on water.” While battling to simply stay afloat, it wouldn’t surprise me if Sprong (who prematurely left the bench on a developing Devils 3 on 2 during a power play, leading to a too many men penalty) is the odd man out for Tuesday’s game two.


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