The New Jersey Devils have been eliminated from the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was a familiar tune as the Devils fell to the Carolina Hurricanes once again. This time, instead of Carolina scoring on the power play in the first overtime session like in 2023, it was double overtime. Sebastian Aho scored the game-winning goal as the Hurricanes rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win the game 5-4 and the series 4-1, advancing to the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Entering the series, the Devils were already undermanned, missing Jack Hughes on offense. But as the series progressed, the Devils lost three of their top six defenseman in Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon, and Johnathan Kovacevic. It was already going to be a tall task against an excellent Carolina Hurricanes team, but the task became even more challenging with four starters missing. The New Jersey Devils played well and valiantly against the Hurricanes. They were just undermanned and undersized. New Jersey knew what to expect when playing the Hurricanes; however, the Devils could counter their aggressive forecheck. It was a story that was familiar as Carolina set the foundation on how to play the Devils back in the second round in 2023. Before the series started, the Devils discussed how the Hurricanes would create a lot of shot volume by throwing pucks at goaltender Jacob Markstrom from every angle in the offensive zone. Carolina worked that game plan to perfection throughout every game. Markstrom did his best to extend the series past Game 5, but in the end, Carolina’s attack was just too much. However, it was not for a lack of trying. After building a 3-0 lead after the first period of Game 5, the Devils appeared to try to sit on the lead as Carolina came in waves. Before you knew it was 3-3, and five minutes into the second period hadn’t even passed yet. While Nico Hischier, who continued to lead by example, did his best to get his team the 4-3 lead, special teams once again were a factor. Carolina’s relentless pressure led to multiple power-play opportunities, and in the series, the power play was the difference. The Hurricanes scored twice on the power play in Game 5, both coming off the stick of Aho. The Devils were 0-for-15 on the power play in the series. Carolina scored six power-play goals. If one power play goal in the third period, maybe there will be a Game 6. But the Hurricanes just kept attacking the Devils players every chance they could. The Devils registered four shots total in both overtime sessions. Carolina had 19 shots, including 14 in the first overtime session. At one point, Markstrom stopped 30 straight shots after giving up the tying 4-4 goal. At some point, your goaltender is going to wear out. New Jersey Devils: Special Teams Errors Cost New Jersey Devils First Two Games New York Rangers: New York Rangers Players Have A Sense of Entitlement New York Islanders: Timing Was Right as New York Islanders Move On From Lou Lamoriello Vancouver Canucks: NHL Rumors: Could Quinn Hughes Be on the Move? So is playing in your defensive zone for most of the game. After coming out like a house on fire, the Devils laid back on their morals of playing defense. But that allowed Carolina to find their game and force the Devils players into turnovers. The Hurricanes took advantage of young players and even some veterans who struggled to hold onto the puck. That is what the Hurricanes pressure does. It forces a player to decide to move the puck quicker than they want. Instead of taking the extra second or two, the Devils just got rid of the puck quickly. They either just tapped into the neutral zone or just dumped into the Hurricanes zone, not being able to attack and giving Carolina a chance to get the puck back down the ice. Not a recipe for success. Outside of the first 20 minutes of the games, the Devils spent most of the game playing on their heels instead of their toes. That pretty much sums up the Devils seasons. Not enough consistency playing 60 minutes of hockey. Though to be fair, this group was gassed from Game 3 on. But even in Game 3, they allowed the Hurricanes to control the third period, which forced the game into overtime. Throughout the season, even with the full complement of healthy bodies on the roster, the Devils have spent too much time playing on the heels instead of their toes. As we look back on the season, a couple of things will be discussed: the lack of a goal scorer and the team playing at an average or below-average level for stretches during the season not to mention the lack of execution of special teams, which was a staple for the Devils during the regular season. However, in the end, the New Jersey Devils could not allow the Hurricanes to dictate play and average close to 35 shots a game if they wanted to win. A team can’t expect its goalie to make every single save. At some point, you have to help the guy between the pipes. In the series against Carolina from periods 2 through Double Overtime, the Devils didn’t help out their goalie. When the New Jersey Devils look back, they will regret not scoring on the power play and blowing a lead while dominating the game. One day, these players will figure out a way to beat this team.