The New Jersey Devils put all their cards on the table on Tuesday in an attempt to even their series with the Carolina Hurricanes. A very unfortunate three-minute run by the Hurricanes gave them two goals (and even more chances), and that was all they needed with how many saves Freddie Andersen was making. The Devils only got one goal past Andersen, and a big goal from Jesper Bratt, which was his first playoff goal that wasn't an empty-netter.
The Devils only getting one goal in each of the first two games with a swarming offense is not a winning formula for the Devils. Even with Jacob Markstrom playing as well as he has, they aren't going to win games playing like this. They need to keep changing the lineup to throw different looks at the Hurricanes. What changes could turn a loss into a win for Game 3?
First, let's acknowledge they should move Luke Hughes into the lineup if he's cleared. That would be huge for the Devils offense, and he'd be especially important for the Devils' powerplay (which gave up the game-winning goal shorthanded). Maybe Brenden Dillon comes back, but maybe the Devils don't need him.
Decision #1: Find a way to keep Simon Nemec in the lineup
This is playing with fire, but Simon Nemec played incredibly well in Game 2. He made multiple plays that should have led to primary assists. He made a mistake in the first period that led to a breakaway, but he was stellar for the rest of the game. His numbers aren't reflective of how impactful he was because he kept making a pass that went to the right player, but that player didn't make the play they needed.
The Devils need as much of an offensive spark as possible. Dougie Hamilton is better than expected coming off the injury, but he's not the player he was pre-injury. Luke Hughes is going to be the version of himself who's also playing with an injury. Nemec might be the healthiest offensive-defenseman on the roster.
If Hughes returns, he would take over for Dennis Cholowski. Dillon would theoretically take Nemec's spot, but it might be a good idea to let Dillon sit for at least one more game. Nemec brought it against the Hurricanes.