The Devils aren't officially eliminated from post-season contention, but their hopes look very bleak after losing their 10th shootout of the year against the Islanders.
Combine the Devils loss with wins from Detroit and Columbus, and New Jersey is five points back of both wild card spots with eight games remaining.
New Jersey's schedule is soft down the stretch, which may actually work against them right now, as they have no opportunity for a potential four-point swing by playing the Red Wings or Blue Jackets.
SportsClubStats gives the Devils a 17% chance of making the postseason, with them needing to 5-0-3 or 6-1-1 to have a realistic shot (mid-to-high 50s) at making the playoffs.
While that's not an impossible task, it seems like a lot to ask of a team that couldn't beat a lottery club playing without John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Lubomir Visnovksy, among others.
Adam Henrique and Patrik Elias will do all they can down the stretch, but right now the Devils need points, and there's not enough players contributing on a nightly basis. If they want to have any shot at this, they're going to need several players step up.
Considering the inconsistency's the teams had all season long, that probably won't happen. Their task isn't impossible, but it's very improbable.
But that's why they play the games.
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