After suffering a regulation defeat to a battered Blue Jackets team, New Jersey's playoff hope all but evaporated last night.
The Jackets scored the first two goals of the game and the Devils were never able to recover en route to a 3-2 loss.
Some thoughts:
1) If New Jersey had any chance of making the playoffs, that's certainly gone after their loss to Columbus. New Jersey is now eight points back of Boston for the final wild card spot, and the Bruins have two games in hand. Not to mention the Devils would have to pass Philadelphia, Ottawa and Florida, too. That's an impossible ask in 17 games.
2) Cory Schneider allowed three goals on 24 shots in that game, and recorded a sub .912SV% for the first time in 18 appearances. That's a remarkable stat when you think about it, especially when you look at the team in front of him. He's been nothing short of incredible this season.
3) Jacob Josefson was tied for the team-high in power play time on ice with 3:58, and he made the most of it recording an assist on Jordin Tootoo's goal. I don't think Josefson will ever be a goal scorer or big point producer, but he is a pretty good playmaker, and he does possess some offensive creativity. He's also a better option than a guy like Dainius Zubrus, especially with where the team is at.
4) I know Pete Harrold is sort of a whipping boy in New Jersey, but I'd like to see him stick around next season. He's a good depth guy on the back end, and that he can actually play forward (and contribute) if necessary makes him a pretty valuable guy to have around. I don't think New Jersey's defense will have much turnover this summer, and I think he's a better option than Mark Fraser. He wouldn't cost much, either, and every now and then he makes a highlight reel play that makes for a good laugh.
5) New Jersey's 2014 1st round pick John Quenneville has hit a rough patch in Brandon, and he's struggling to get out of it. He went pointless again last night, and now has just 13 points in his last 22 games. Quenneville has also scored just once in his last 16 games. This is far from encouraging.
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