They came back to beat the Rangers in seven games after going down 2-0 in their first round series in 2023. Both of those first two losses were at home by 5-1 scores. It took winning two games at Madison Square Garden to tie that series. The Devils are down 2-0 in this series but have chances at the Prudential Center to take a game.

The New Jersey Devils defenseman found the energy to smile at one point after emptying the tank over 23:14 of ice time, tying an NHL career-high with six blocked shots and preventing another three pucks from crossing the goal line in a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

With the series shifting to New Jersey for Game 3, let’s take a look at why the Devils could have some hope left — and why they might not.