When a team is in need of a rebuild, the worst thing they can do is pick up garbage time wins after the season is already lost, and ruin what would be a high-end draft pick in the process.
That's what the Devils are doing right now, though there is still time to fall back in the standings.
In a game that was about as entertaining as a root canal - and I've been there - the Devils barely held on for a 2-1 win against a highly mediocre Senators team.
10 takeaways:
1) Despite this recent winning streak, the Devils aren't good. Any team that plays Jordin Tootoo on the power play, and has a Mark Fraser - Pete Harrold pairing on defense isn't good. They're still 12 points back of a playoff spot, and they're not nearly good enough to get there. According to SportsClubStats, the Devils need to go 22-6-3 to have a 55% chance of making the playoffs. That's not happening, and climbing up the standings a little bit will just ruin their future.
2) Speaking of which, the Devils can't afford to keep winning games on a consistent basis. Their prospect system, especially up front, is about as weak as they come. They're starving for a high-end prospect and need to take advantage of this bad season to bring in a guy like Dylan Strome, Mitch Marner, etc.
3) It's pretty incredible the Devils keep winning given the lack of talent in their lineup and how few shots/chances they generate on a nightly basis. Their shot totals over the last three games: 14, 14, 19. Average: 15.6. That's embarrassing.
4) I can't believe this is still a thing, but Jordin Tootoo on the power play needs to stop. First of all, he has less talent than everyone on the team. Secondly, he's not big, so others could screen the goaltender as good or better. Lastly, when a player like Adam Henrique - the 7th most efficient PP player in the NHL this year - isn't getting PP time because it's going to Tootoo, you need to reevaluate what you're doing.
5) Some suggested Tootoo on the PP over Henrique is all part of Lamoriello's tank plan. Considering he and his players keep talking about making the playoffs, I highly doubt that. Not to mention, if you want Tootoo on the PP put him on instead of one of the Devils' aging players instead of the future (Henrique). This doesn't do anyone any good.
6) Henrique led the Devils with three scoring chances at even-strength, and this was playing with Scott Gomez and Steve Bernier. Too bad he's not good enough for the power play.
7) Mike Cammalleri looked good last night, and scored a beautiful goal while playing on a line with Jaromir Jagr. See what happens when you give him some skill to work with?
8) Going back to the power play, Jon Merrill led all Devils players with over four minutes of PP ice. Marek Zidlicky played less than two minutes on the PP, and Adam Larsson and Andy Greene combined for 35 seconds. I think all of those guys are better PP options than Merrill, as is Eric Gelinas, who continues to sit in the press box. Hopefully this is just a short-term experiment.
9) Tuomo Ruutu was one of 10 Devils to have at least one scoring chance, and he had five hits as well. Remind me why he gets less ice time than everyone on the team, including Tootoo and seven-point superstar Dainius Zubrus?
10) The Devils are shooting themselves in the foot with their recent success, but I can't help but be happy for Cory Schneider. He's given the Devils quality outings on a nightly basis all year, and has rarely been rewarded for his efforts. It's nice to see him leave the ice happy once in a while.
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