It certainly wasn't pretty, but in beating the Coyotes the Devils extended their winning streak to four games for the first time in years.
Cory Schneider was stellar, and the Devils scored just enough to get by en route to a win that somehow put them within eight points of a playoff spot.
Some thoughts:
1) I don't think the Devils are a very good team, and believe this recent surge has been a product of them beating on some lesser teams more than anything else, but if they win two of their next three (vs CGY, vs BOS, @ CBJ) leading up to the deadline I don't think they'll sell. Obviously playoffs are the goal every season, but I truly believe the Devils aren't good enough to make it, so staying close right now would only give the team false hope, and hurt their future. If they stay close, Lou Lamoriello would probably be unwilling to move Jaromir Jagr, Marek Zidlicky, and some other rentals for pieces that could help the retool.
2) While we're on the subject of retooling, I don't think the Devils will embrace a full 76ers/Sabres-type rebuild, and I don't think that's necessary, either. They need to retool, sure, but Cory Schneider is a damn good goaltender, and very good piece to build around. With Andy Greene, Adam Larsson and Damon Severson, among others, their defense looks very promising and is already solid, so the only big overhaul needed is up front. They need to add some more scoring, youth and speed, which they can help address with what should be a top-10 pick come June.
3) Speaking of Larsson, he's played great hockey for a couple months now, but he's really taking off offensively. In the last three games Larsson has logged over 70 minutes of ice while recording four shots on goal, and registering five points. He now has 17 points in 42 games, which is actually quite good for a 22-year-old playing on an offensively starved team.
4) This kind of flew under the radar because of how good Schneider was, but how do the Devils allow 38 shots to one worst (offensive) teams in the NHL? I mean, Arizona was held without a shot against Colorado(!!) recently.
5) Time on ice:
Jordin Tootoo - 13:56 Scott Gomez - 13:01 Jaromir Jagr - 12:49
Playing Jagr less than 13 minutes per game and putting him in situations where he'll struggle to produce isn't going to do anything but hurt his trade value. He's now gone seven consecutive games without a point at about the worst possible time.
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