After the Christmas break, the Carolina Hurricanes will resume the schedule and play their final three games of 2024 playing the Metro Division-leading New Jersey Devils. The Canes will play the Devils again at home tomorrow and then finish off 2024 with a contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on New Year's Eve.
The Canes had a satisfying victory in New York against the Rangers on Sunday but were defeated by Nashville before the Christmas break. They find themselves six points back from the Devils for the Metro Division lead with three games in hand. Sitting at 8-8-1 on the road, Carolina will have a tough task this evening as the Devils are heating up(no pun intended).
New Jersey has won their last two contests by shutouts with a 5-0 victory over the same Rangers and a 3-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jacob Markstrom only had to face 12 shots in each game to complete the two shutouts. Markstrom has been the difference maker for the Devils after being acquired last summer from Calgary. The 34-year-old Swede has played in 26 games this year with 18 victories and an impressive 2.12 GAA.
Jack Hughes leads the Devils and it has been a good season for the American with 15 goals and 30 helpers. Jesper Bratt shares the team lead in points with Jack Hughes, both having 45 points. Old friend, Stefan Noesen, is having a strong first year in New Jersey with 16 goals and 25 points. To no Caniac's surprise, Noesen has 7 goals on the man advantage. His ultimate replacement, William Carrier, has just 4 goals this year but has been solid in all three zones.
On the blue line, another old friend leads the way with Dougie Hamilton having 5 goals and 24 points in all 37 games played by the Devils this season. Luke Hughes is hitting his stride after starting the season on the IR with 15 points. Brett Pesce has played in 28 games and provided steady play.
This Devils team is deep with scoring, speed, and leadership this season. Markstrom has closed the door for the opposition and the Canes will have to pace themselves tonight as both teams shake off the holiday rust.