The New Jersey Devils are set for a significant overhaul of their roster ahead of the 2025-26 season, as General Manager Tom Fitzgerald confirmed that the current lineup is not sufficient for their ambitions. Fitzgerald highlighted that decisions regarding player retention and potential trades will be crucial this summer. Among the unrestricted free agents are notable names like Jake Allen and Tomas Tatar, alongside key restricted free agents including Luke Hughes and Nolan Foote.

Fitzgerald expressed a desire to re-sign Jacob Markstrom, who has a year left on his contract, and discussions regarding his extension are anticipated to occur soon. The future of players like Dawson Mercer is also in question, with the possibility of him being traded to create cap space for improving the team’s scoring ability. The upcoming offseason promises to be busy as the Devils look to finalize their roster for a more competitive season.

Jacob Markstrom enters the final year of his contract with the New Jersey Devils and is open to extending his stay. His future may be significantly influenced by Jake Allen's potential departure in free agency. Meanwhile, Nico Daws, who has a year left on his deal, showcased considerable resilience, arguably outshining Markstrom and Allen in the latter part of the season. The Devils need to clarify their goaltending situation as Markstrom approaches 36.

In Tampa Bay, the Lightning is looking to regroup after another disappointing playoff exit. Coach Jon Cooper, expected to receive an extension, faces a crucial offseason. Key players like Yanni Gourde and Ryan McDonagh are free agents, and the Lightning may consider trading Isaac Howard's rights. Boston's Don Sweeney is also on a mission, seeking a new coach, a high draft pick, and potential trades to retool the roster.

In a thrilling double-overtime showdown, Sebastian Aho's overtime goal propelled the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils, clinching their first-round playoff series in five games. Aho's decisive shot, set up by Shayne Gostisbehere during a power play, marked his second goal of the night, capping a remarkable comeback from a 3-0 deficit. Taylor Hall, Jackson Blake, and Andrei Svechnikov also scored for the Hurricanes, who demonstrated resilience by leveling the game after a chaotic second period.

Despite the Devils' early dominance, Carolina's relentless offense led to an impressive 34-12 shot advantage after the second period, forcing Devils' goalie Jacob Markstrom to make a staggering 48 saves. With this victory, the Hurricanes advance to the second round, awaiting the winner of the Montreal-Washington series, in which the Capitals currently lead 3-1.

In a pivotal Game 4 matchup, the Washington Capitals overcame the Montreal Canadiens with a 5-2 victory, largely influenced by Tom Wilson's heavy hit on Alexandre Carrier. The hit, which took place in the third period, led to a momentum shift. Despite some members of the Canadiens suggesting it was a turning point, captain Nick Suzuki disagreed, asserting they had the upper hand until a few unfortunate bounces altered the game's trajectory.

Wilson's check directly preceded Brandon Duhaime’s game-tying goal, sparking a Capitals rally that resulted in three consecutive goals, including two empty-netters. The Canadiens, who had initially held a 2-1 lead entering the final period, failed to recover from the sudden shift in momentum. This loss puts them in a precarious position, forcing them to respond swiftly in Game 5 if they hope to stay alive in the series.

Simon Nemec clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory for the New Jersey Devils over the Carolina Hurricanes during Game 3 of their playoff series, scoring just 2:36 into the second overtime. The win marks an important rebound for the Devils, who had lost the first two games of the series. Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer contributed with goals during regulation, while Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves, showcasing his steadfast presence in the net. For the Hurricanes, goals from Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho kept them competitive, but they ultimately fell short in a gripping overtime.

New Jersey's victory also highlighted their offensive resilience, as Mercer’s third-period goal had initially extended their lead to 2-0. However, the Hurricanes rallied with power-play goals from Jarvis and Aho to tie the game, showcasing their ability to respond under pressure. With Game 4 looming, the playoff intensity is only expected to escalate.