By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Andrew Mordzynski/Getty Images
Carolina Hurricanes’ center Logan Stankoven scored two goals in the second period to lead the Hurricanes to a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Devils looked gassed. We witnessed a team that struggled to get shots on goal and had no motivation or urgency throughout this game. The Hurricanes immediately took the lead in the first two minutes of the game. The crowd gave the team a lot more energy to play the game aggressively.
The Devils had no answer for the Hurricanes. In the first period, the Hurricanes outshot the Devils 13-2. Overall, the Hurricanes outshot the Devils 45-24.
Devils captain Nico Herchier scored the only goal for the Devils in the second period. The Devils went 0-for-2 from the power play. The Hurricanes went 1-for-3 in power play. Herchier is the only one who tries to give the Devils some life.
Hurricanes/ Jalen Chatfield and Andrei Svechnikov added goals for their team. Although the Devils got outplayed and outcoached by the Hurricanes, the biggest upset of this game is that the Devils outhit the Hurricanes. The Devils delivered 52 hits to the Hurricanes’ 41 hits.
Whether Jack Hughes is healthy or not, the Devils can compete with this Hurricanes team on paper. There’s no excuse. The Devils had chances in the third period but didn’t take advantage of opportunities. Someone in the Devils’ locker room must show leadership after this lousy loss to the Hurricanes. It was an embarrassing performance.
Devils and Hurricanes will play Game 2 on Tuesday night. The Devils and coach Sheldon O’Keefe must make serious adjustments to win Game 2. Great coaches make adjustments after Game 1 in a playoff series.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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