EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW

*--* New Jersey Devils (41-28-9-4, 6th) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (35-26-16-5, 3rd) Schedule: Tonight, Fri., Sun., Tues., April 24*, 27*, 29* (*-if necessary, best of seven) Season series: New Jersey, 2-1-1 Series preview: Last season, Carolina gave the Devils a tough time in the first round of the playoffs before losing in six games. Although the Hurricanes have home-ice advantage, New Jersey will have an edge with goaltender Martin Brodeur, who hasn’t given up more than three goals in a game since Jan. 17. The Devils have won six in a row over Carolina, which will need a big series from veteran center Ron Francis. If the Hurricanes can get Sami Kapanen and Jeff O’Neill involved in the offense early, New Jersey could have some problems Late-season acquisitions: NJ--Center Joe Nieuwendyk and right wings Jamie Langenbrunner and Stephane Richer; Car--none Key injuries: None Goaltenders’ postseason records: NJ--Martin Brodeur (65-44); Car--Arturs Irbe (13-19) Coaches’ postseason records: Car--Paul Maurice (4-8); NJ--Kevin Constantine (19-25) Fast facts: The Hurricanes are tops in the NHL in winning faceoffs, with all four centers over 53%. The Devils scored only 205 goals this season, the worst among playoff teams MATCHUPS NJ CAR Goals 205 (20) 217 (13) Goals against 187 (3) 217 (19) Power play 16.8 (9) 15.8 (13) Penalty killing 83.7 (19) 83.5 (20) Save percentage 902 (14) 902 (14) Goals-against avg 2.25 (4) 2.59 (19) Penalty minutes 1,010 (27) 1, 026 (26) Power-play goals 44 (26) 63 (4) Short-handed goals 2 (29) 4 (23) Players w/Cup titles 19 1 10+ goal scorers 10 8 Prediction: New Jersey in six

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