What happens if Devils lose, win or tie vs Hurricanes tonight? A crucial game 5 for New Jersey at Carolina

The New Jersey Devils are walking into a hostile environent as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes on the road at Lenovo Arena in Raleigh. Ahead of a do-or-die Game 5 in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, what happens if the Devils lose, win or tie during their matchup with the Canes?

The Devils are walking a fine line, dangerously approaching the abyss as they are down 3-1 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Hurricanes. Following the soul-crushing defeat in Game 4 back at The Rock in Newark, NJ, Sheldon Keefe’s side hopes to deliver a statement victory on the road.

The Hurricanes, however, can already smell a series win, hoping to extend their streak in the postseason. Carolina has won at least one playoff series in each of their last six campaigns, looking to extend it to seven-straight by knocking out the injury-riddled roster in New Jersey.

What happens if the Devils lose to the Hurricanes in Game 5?

If New Jersey falls to Carolina in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round, the Devils will be knocked out of contention. With a loss in Raleigh, Keefe and the Dveils will witness their season come to an end, well short of the expectations set coming into the 2024-25 NHL campaign.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the New Jersey Devils speaks with the media after the game against the New York Islanders during preseason action at the Prudential Center on September 22, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey.

What happens if the Devils win against the Canes?

If the Devils defeat the Hurricanes on the road, the New Jersey-based franchise will live to see another day in the 2024-25 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Devils would force a Game 6 back in Newark, securing their second win in the series and avoiding a gentleman’s sweep at the hands of Carolina.

see also

The legacy of the Stanley Cup: Origins of its name, fascinating facts and trophy trivia

If the Devils win on Tuesday night at Lenovo Arena, the two teams will meet again on Friday, May 2, for Game 6.

What happens if the Devils and Hurricanes tie in Game 5?

If Game 5 between New Jersey and Carolina is tied at the end of regulation, it will head to a 20-minute period of 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime. The first goal wins, and unlike the NHL regular season rules, there is no shootout. If the game remains deadlocked after one overtime period, another will follow after a 15-minute intermission, and so on until a team finally breaks the deadlock.

To make overtimes more enjoyable for fans—especially when games stretch past midnight—there are no commercial breaks or TV timeouts during the extra periods, meaning the action rarely stops until a winner is decided.