3. That’s how many times the New Jersey Devils had made the playoffs in the past 13 seasons. So it was a big deal in itself when they made it to the playoffs this time. Yet their fans hoped for more (as they should). And for a moment, it did look like they weren’t exactly misguided in their optimism. Until…

The New Jersey Devils fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the NHL playoffs round 1. The hosts trampled over NJ to secure a 5-4 victory and wrap up the seven-game series in style with a 4-1 record. However, while winning and losing are part of it, fans are irate over how the Devils almost seemed reluctant to hold on to the lead they had early in the game.

The official Devils’ X account posted on April 29, sharing saddening news of the team’s 2024 postseason coming to an end. “Battled hard until the bitter end,” reads the caption of the social media update, as the heartbreak can almost be felt. However, while the account was busy brooding over the latest loss, fans thought it was time they pointed out how the accountability of the defeat should fall on the team itself.

The New Jersey Devils managed to secure a spot in the playoffs not by themselves, but thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers. On April 8, New Jersey lost to the Bruins, but on the same day, the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers in regulation to give New Jersey the coveted berth in the postseason. Naturally, with the Devils limping into the playoffs, hopes weren’t high to begin with. And yet, the elusive Stanley Cup can do wonders to a team’s motivation, or so the fans had thought. But tonight’s defeat was a shocker indeed.

Before the start of the second period of today’s game at PNC Arena, the Devils had a comfortable 3-0 lead. But the Hurricanes ended up bouncing back in the second period to even the score. Then, New Jersey went in front once again, only for Carolina to level the terms yet again, to push the game into double OT to clinch a stylish victory.

Within four minutes of the first half, Brett Pesce opened the scoring for the New Jersey Devils with a goal from the point. Minutes later, Timo Meier‘s low shot from distance and Stefan Noesen‘s redirect of Simon Nemec’s shot put New Jersey in the driver’s seat. Jacob Markstrom‘s multiple critical saves also made the Devils clan hopeful. However, things started turning around for the worse from the second period, and the Hurricanes ran away with the game thanks to Sebastian Aho‘s goal in the second OT, after a penalty was called over Dawson Mercer’s high stick on Carolina’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Referring to that, one exasperated fan commented, “you fumbled hard.” Others grunted in similar lines.

Fans are enraged over the New Jersey Devils’ exit

Goalie Markstrom put his best glove forward for the Devils with 48 saves, which included 37 consecutive ones between Aho’s tying and winning goals. The same, however, couldn’t be said about the skaters as the Canes managed to outshoot the Devils 34-12 after the second period. That’s why the Devils’ claim of battling hard didn’t sit well with fans. “Battled hard? No they didn’t,” one fan called out under the social media post. “We actually didn’t tho,” another corrected the Devils’ X update.

With both New York teams being unable to make it to the playoffs, it almost felt like the time was now for the New Jersey Devils to shine. Curtis Lazar, the forward who joined the squad in the 2022-23 season, also noted ahead of the postseason, “Everything is in place.” With all things combined, today’s defeat probably would feel like a hard pill to swallow. But the disappointment turned into frustration, and fans called for immediate change. “Fire everyone,” suggested one angsty New Jersey loyalist.

“Was up 3-0 I’m done man,” another Devils fan could barely believe how the Hurricanes managed to pull ahead despite the position NJ was at after the first period. But while fans come to terms with reality, do you think the Devils have better days ahead of them? Tell us how you think the issues in the New Jersey locker room could be addressed in a comment!