NEWARK, N.J. — The Devils did it in Game One, very effectively, very efficiently.

Now, can they do it again in Game Two?

The line of Jay Pandolfo, John Madden and Brendan Shanahan shut down the Canes' top line of Tuomo Ruutu, Eric Staal and Erik Cole in the Devils' 4-1 win Wednesday in the playoff opener. Call it a mostly quiet night for the visitors — no goals, no assists, four shots.

"We have to play it the same," Pandolfo said today after the Devils' skate. "They have three great players on that line, three strong guys.

"You have to limit their time and space. Like any good players, if they have time they'll make things happen and create things, so you have to limit the time they have with the puck."

NEWARK, N.J. — Rarely has a team tried so hard to sound so unimpressed with itself.

The New Jersey Devils were at their humble best after their practice at the Prudential Center, saying all the right things, insisting their 4-1 win over the Canes in the opening game of the playoffs wasn't nearly as dominating — the word so widely used Wednesday night — as it appeared.

"I think we played a pretty solid game, start to finish," captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. "I think the power play needs to be a little better as the series moves on. But I think it was the type of game we want to play."

Were the Devils expecting more fight from the Canes?

"I don't think there was a lack of fight," Langenbrunner said. "We took away a lot of their time and space and it was one of the nights the puck was on our tape."

NEWARK. N.J. — It was a theory, a suggestion, an attempt at finding an answer for the Canes' lackluster 4-1 playoff loss to the New Jersey Devils.

And Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice was having none of it.

Was it possible, Maurice was asked, that his team pushed so hard, for so long, and played so well in trying to make the playoffs that they have little left for the playoffs, physically or emotionally? That perhaps they achieved their goal this season, making the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and now have little else to give?

"I don't think so," he said. "I think there's a difference in how you get there."

NEWARK, N.J. — For a guy who faced 39 shots and gave up four goals to the Devils in his first playoff game since 2006, the Canes' Cam Ward looked fresh, bright-eyed and ready for another game.

"Overall, they came out and played a playoff-style hockey game," Ward said today of the 4-1 loss in Game One of the playoffs. "At the end of the day, they just outfought us.

"We played like a little bit of a nervous hockey team and played a little bit flat, but it's over and done with. Part of the playoffs is you've got to put games behind you and last night's game is definitely a game uou want to put behind you because there was not much good to come from
it."

Nervous? Ward, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in the Canes' 2006 run to the Stanley Cup, said he was feeling some jitters, too.

NEWARK, N.J. — The Canes were back on the ice today at the Prudential Center and looking a little sharper, a little more alert.

Of course, the Devils weren't around. It was a practice.

Rod Brind'Amour, who took a big hit during Game One against the Devils, was not at practice. Jussi Jokinen centered the line with Sergei Samsonov and Patrick Eaves on the wings.

Brind'Amour, hopping off a stationary bike, said he was OK and would be ready for Game Two. Canes coach Paul Maurice said the same.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Well, that was pretty ugly.

At least, that was the Carolina Hurricanes' perspective — almost in disbelief — after the dismal 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in Wednesday's Stanley Cup playoff opener at the Prudential Center.

For the Devils, though, there wasn't a real blemish to this game, to this victory. The big smile on the face of Lou Lamoriello, New Jersey's president and general manager, after the game spoke volumes about the feelings of everyone in the organization.

"I thought through and through we got contributions from everyone," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "It was pretty precise, how we wanted to play."

Staff photo by Chris Seward

NEWARK, N.J. — Ray Whitney got the Canes on the board, but the Devils immediately punched back.

Whitney scored 9:26 into the third, but the Devils' Jamie Langenbrunner converted on a 3-on-2 29 seconds later.

The Devils' attack led them to a 4-1 win and a 1-0 lead in their first round playoff series against the Hurricanes.

NEWARK, N.J. — Talk about mutual respect. It's there for both the Canes' Cam Ward and the New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur.

Brodeur has gotten many accolades — several from Ward — as he should as the winningest goalie in NHL history. But today, after the Devils' morning skate, he tossed a few in Ward's direction.

"He had a great year," Brodeur said. "Just looking at the last part of the season, to
be consistent and play so much, shows a lot about a goalie.

"He had the success (in the Stanley Cup), and the last few years was a little tougher, but he seems to have gotten his game back where he wants it and where his team thinks he has it."