New Jersey Devils Season On Brink After Game 4 Loss to ‘Canes

The New Jersey Devils have their backs to the proverbial wall now.

Jersey was crushed by the Carolina Hurricanes 6-1 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and now trail that series 3-1. Carolina can finish off the Devils on Thursday night in Charlotte.

After Jack Hughes gave the Devils a 1-0 lead a little less than two minutes into the contest, it was all Hurricanes.

Carolina scored six unanswered goals, five of them coming in the second period. Martin Necas scored twice; his first goal tied the game with three minutes to go before the end of the first period. His second score gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead.

Vitek Vanecek was charged with five goals in 32 minutes, while Akira Schmid gave up only a goal on 12 shots.

GALLERY: New Jersey Devils 2021-2022 NHL Season

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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 06: Tomas Tatar #90 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates the win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center on January 06, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 28: Dawson Mercer #18 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his first period goal against the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on February 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 28: Nico Daws #50 of the New Jersey Devils prepares to play against the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on February 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 28: Nico Daws #50 and Michael McLeod #20 of the New Jersey Devils celebrate their 7-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on February 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

• Columbus Blue Jackets v New Jersey Devils

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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 06: Dawson Mercer #18 of the New Jersey Devils heads for the net during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center on January 06, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 06: Akira Schmid #40 of the New Jersey Devils warms up before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center on January 06, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 28: The New Jersey Devils celebrate a second period goal by Jesper Boqvist #70 (R) against the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on February 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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  CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 25: Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils is congratulated by teammates following a goal during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on February 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

• Edmonton Oilers v New Jersey Devils

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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center on December 31, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Oilers 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Andreas Johnsson #11 of the New Jersey Devils in action against Derek Ryan #10 of the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center on December 31, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Oilers 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)