The New Jersey Devils, having boasted the NHL's top special teams during the regular season, find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination after a disappointing performance against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Devils, who enjoyed a power play success rate of 28.2% in the regular season, have failed to score on 12 power plays against a Carolina team that excels at penalty killing. Forward Nico Hischier emphasized the need for the team to loosen up their mindset, while Timo Meier acknowledged the critical role of special teams in playoff success.

In contrast, Carolina capitalized on their opportunities, converting on a power play during Game 4. Their captain, Jordan Staal, credited strong goaltending and defensive pressure for their penalty kill's effectiveness. With their season on the line, the Devils must find a way to capitalize on power play chances, especially in a decisive Game 5.

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.

The Minnesota Wild faced off against the New Jersey Devils, falling 5-2 despite a valiant effort to recover from an early deficit. Nico Hischier dominated, netting a hat trick, while Jacob Markstrom secured 22 saves for the Devils. The Wild's scoring came from Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman, but they struggled to convert on power plays, particularly in crucial moments. Filip Gustavsson made 28 saves but couldn't hold off the Devils' aggressive offensive play. The loss marks Minnesota's third in four games as they prepare for an upcoming road trip.

David Perron netted the game-winner as the Ottawa Senators edged the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in Newark, avoiding a third consecutive loss. Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson also found the net for Ottawa, who now leads the Eastern Conference wild-card standings. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in a bounce-back performance after a rough outing against Colorado. Nico Hischier and Erik Haula scored for New Jersey, who have lost three of their last four games.

The Senators started strong, scoring twice in quick succession during the second period. Tkachuk opened the scoring with a deflection of a Jake Sanderson pass, followed by Batherson redirecting a Dylan Cozens pass. New Jersey's Hischier got one back with a power-play goal, but Ottawa's Perron restored the two-goal lead shortly thereafter. Haula's late goal narrowed the deficit, but it wasn't enough.

In an intense matchup, the Calgary Flames staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-3, thanks to Jonathan Huberdeau's late goal that turned the tide with just over three minutes remaining. The Flames demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming a two-goal deficit in the third period with strong contributions from Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, Daniil Miromanov, and Nazem Kadri, each finding the back of the net. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolfe was pivotal, making 26 saves to secure the victory.

Nico Hischier of the Devils extended his point streak with a goal and an assist, but it wasn't enough as the team faced its first regulation loss of the season when leading entering the third period. The game highlighted the Flames' playoff aspirations, particularly as they look to secure a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.