In the Stanley Cup playoffs, a series often can be decided by goaltending, special teams and roster depth to offset injuries. How do the Hurricanes stack up against the Devils?

The Devils last made the playoffs two years ago, defeating the New York Rangers in seven games in the first round before losing to Carolina in five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs begin Saturday, April 19.

The Devils enter their first-round playoff series against the Hurricanes as heavy underdogs. There’s merit behind the predictions. The Devils enter the playoffs with 91 points, which is tied with the Canadiens for the fewest among the 16-team field by a large margin.

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin scored and added an assist and Alex Lyon made 28 saves as the Detroit Red Wings downed the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Wednesday.

The Detroit Red Wings won their third consecutive game Wednesday, defeating the playoff-bound New Jersey Devils. The season finale is Thursday.

Jonatan Berggren, J.T Compher, Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat and Marco Kasper all scored a goal apiece Wednesday night for the Detroit Red Wings, who held off a third-period comeback attempt by the New Jersey Devils to earn a 5-2 win in Newark,