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New Jersey Devils Going Up Against Carolina In 2nd Round Matchup

By Joseph Stanislau

Timo Meier #96 of the New Jersey Devils waits for the face off against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Prudential Center on March 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Timo Meier #96 of the New Jersey Devils waits for the face off against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Prudential Center on March 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils knocked out the best goaltender in the Eastern Conference and the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Igor Shesterkin in Game 7. It was a huge win, taking down the New York Rangers in the Devils return to the postseason. Round 2 won’t be any easier, but there is a very good possibility that the Devils could end up against a more favorable goalie like Antti Raanta.

Akira Schmid and Raanta both do very well making saves with and without traffic, but Schmid stands out as the better player in rebound control. However, the Devils hope to have a defense that’s more physical. The Devils have three defensive lines that outshine the Hurricanes in Expected Goals Against per 60. The Devils could open up more scoring from their top six with guys like Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt going up against a non-Igor Shesterkin-style goalie.

Raanta has a 0.080 GSAx Per 60. Raanta allowed 13 Goals in 5 games in the playoffs giving up 2.60 GAA vs. Akira Schmid’s 1.40 GAA. Schmid only gave up seven Goals in five games with 4.5 Goals Save Above Expected. Antti Raanta GSA Expected was 0.40. He stopped basically exactly what he was supposed to.

One of the keys to getting around the Hurricanes is to outsmart them and keep playing New Jersey Devils north-south hockey. Once Meier and Hischier get going offensively and Schmid gets some leads, it’ll be an interesting series. This will be a big exclamation mark game for former Carolina Hurricane Dougie Hamilton. Having Hamilton on the backend provide offensive firepower can make it a fun series to watch.

The next variable will be how well can Kevin Bahl and Jonas Siegenthaler keep the Hurricanes to the outside of Akira’s goalie crease, and this remains to be seen. If the Devils can clean up some of the penalties they took against the New York Rangers and capitalize even more on the power play from their first unit, this team will be very hard to defend. Jack Hughes, and Ondrej Palat, amongst many others, have begun their scoring prowess in the first round, especially Erik Haula, have been vital, like Tomas Tatar scoring timely goals when it really matters no matter the situation.

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