What seemed lost but a few days ago is quickly becoming a reality.
The New Jersey Devils can make the playoffs.
After winning consecutive games on back-to-back nights without most of their offensive firepower in Patrik Elias, Ryane Clowe, Adam Henrique and even Jacob Josefson, the Devils find themselves within one point of Columbus for a playoff spot.
Thanks to a recent stretch of poor play from the Flyers, the Devils are only three points back of them, too, and they could potentially be caught.
Both Philadelphia and Columbus have games in hand on New Jersey, but the Devils seem to be trending upwards while those two are heading in the wrong direction.
The Devils have four games left, and their schedule couldn't be much more favorable. Over the next week the Devils will square off against the Flames, Sens, Islanders and Bruins. Three of those games will be played at the Prudential Center, where the Devils have been good this season. They get Boston their last game, too, so it's entirely possible the Bruins make things easier on New Jersey by resting the likes of Zdeno Chara, and Patrice Bergeron before the playoffs begin.
New Jersey still needs help if they want to squeeze into the playoffs, but they have a legitimate shot. SportsClubStats currently suggests there's a 30% chance the Devils make the playoffs, but with an Islanders win (vs Columbus) and/or Buffalo win (vs Philadelphia) that number will increase to the 40% range, and perhaps near 50.
Whether they make the playoffs or not, their efforts and ability to win games short manned down the stretch is admirable. If only they could have won even a couple of those 10 shootouts.
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