Five-Game Stretch Could Determine If The New Jersey Devils Are Buyers or Sellers At The Deadline
It seems like forever since the New Jersey Devils have played hockey. Without any representation at the 2012 NHL All-Star game, the Devils players had a chance to get away from the game and relax. I hope they used their time wisely because the next five games can make or break the season.
Hopefully the players and coaching staff are refreshed and refocused as they return to the task at hand—making the playoffs.
The Devils are 26-19-3, good enough fore 55 points thus far. Their penchant for the shootout has left them dangling precariously to the last playoff spot by default. They are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers in points, If the season were to end today New Jersey would be out by virtue of the tiebreaker that discredits shootout wins.
To say it’s “crunch time” is an under statement. New Jersey headed into the break on a three game winless streak (0-2-1) and the schedule makers didn’t cut them any breaks to start the post-All-Star schedule. Five of the next six games are against East rivals. The Devils face the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers again and the St. Louis Blues. *Gulp* That’s essentially hockey’s equivalent to a “murderers row.”
New Jersey has already shown they struggle against high-caliber teams. In seven games this season versus the Rangers, Flyers and Boston Bruins they are shockingly bad, going 1-6-0 while being outscored 28-10. A prolonged losing streak would almost certainly kiss any of New Jersey’s playoff aspirations good-bye. The playoff race in the Eastern Conference is too tight and too competitive to let that happen.
Just how tight is the East? Nine points separates the number nine seed from the number two seed.
To add insult to injury, New Jersey will have to go at it without the services of Travis Zajac, Henrik Tallinder, Andy Greene and possibly Adam Henrique. Zajac hasn’t resumed skating since his Achilles set back a few weeks ago. Tallinder is out indefinitely with a blood clot in his leg. Henrique’s ailing groin was “sore” enough to keep him out of Monday’s practice. Greene took place in the practice and may play but no decision has been announced yet.
General manager Lou Lamoriello has said repeatedly the goal is to “win and win now.” But what if winning is no longer an option for his team? How they fair over the course of this challenging stretch of games will determine whether New Jersey is buyer or seller at the trade deadline. It will also determine Zach Parise’s future in Newark.
Let the games begin.
…..
I figured that I’d try and get the Devils offense kick-started (3 goals in last 3 games) and include a video of Ilya Kovalchuk making Rangers All-Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist look human. Enjoy!
Follow me on twitter! @StevePalumboNHL
Buy New Jersey Devils Tickets | Buy New Jersey Devils ApparelOne Rant to “Five-Game Stretch Could Determine If The New Jerse...”
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
Have fun with that schedule lol. The Flyers have vs Jets, vs Predators, vs Devils, @ Rangers, vs Islanders.