The New Jersey Devils provided an emphatic response in Game 3. After getting trounced by the Carolina Hurricanes in Games 1 and 2 in Raleigh, the Devils put together a comprehensive 8-4 victory in a must-win contest on Sunday night to bring the series scoreline to 2-1. 

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because it is – for both clubs.

The Hurricanes won their first two games on home ice in Round 1 against the New York Islanders before stumbling in Game 3 en route to a 4-2 win in that series, while the Devils clawed back from an 0-2 hole to eliminate the Rangers in six games in the first round. 

The market seems to have confidence that the Devils can do it again, as New Jersey sits as a -155 favorite in Game 4.

(7 p.m. ET. ESPN)

Before Game 1, I expressed concerns that New Jersey would take some time to adjust from the Rangers’ counterattacking style to Carolina’s aggressive man-to-man philosophy.

That take ended up holding weight as the Canes jumped all over the Devils in the first 120 minutes of this series, sending New Jersey back home searching for answers.

But just like in Round 1, the Devils made their adjustments.

Not only did Lindy Ruff make a switch in the crease — this time putting Vitek Vanecek back in for Akira Schmid — but the Devils were much more composed at 5-on-5 and were able to keep the game on their terms. 

The Devils did a great job of carrying momentum from game to game against the Rangers, but the Hurricanes are a different animal.

Carolina doesn’t change the way it plays in any situation, opting to go down swinging with its aggressive, hard-working approach to every shift.

That mentality leaves very little room on the ice for playmakers to operate, which is something the Devils will need to navigate.

New Jersey did a great job of beating the first man on the forecheck and opening up space in Game 3, but it isn’t an automatic that the Devils will be able to repeat that performance in Game 4.

It also must be said that the Devils were aided by a rough night in goal for goaltender Frederik Andersen.

After three strong showings in a row, the Danish netminder came unglued in Game 3 and now Rod Brind’Amour has a decision to make in the crease.

Antti Raanta returned to practice on Monday, but there’s also a chance that rookie Pyotr Kochetkov gets the nod. 

No matter who is in goal, the Hurricanes will likely be a lot better in Game 4.

Brind’Amour and his players admitted that it was one of their poorest performances of the season, so a bounce-back showing will be expected.

That may not mean a better result, mind you, but it will probably lead to a tighter game and that puts some value on the under and perhaps a sprinkle on the contest to go to overtime.

Under 5.5 (BetMGM)