Properly, right here have been the Devils in a task that has not solely turn out to be acquainted however recurring as they ready to face the Rangers in Newark on Tuesday.
And that will be as a bottom-dweller making an attempt to spoil a playoff-bound crew’s season. That’s what it has been yr after yr after yr for the franchise that has completed twentieth total or decrease in 9 of the ten seasons since going to the Cup ultimate in 2012.
The Devils stood Twenty ninth-overall after ending Twenty ninth-overall final season, twenty sixth two years in the past and Twenty ninth in 2018-19. Certainly, they have been solely 5 factors away from having one of the best odds getting into the draft lottery from which they got here away with the primary total picks in 2019 (Jack Hughes) and 2017 (Nico Hischier).
And it’s not essentially getting higher for the Devils because the yr evolves. Hughes, who has performed solely 49 of the membership’s 69 video games, is out once more, No. 86 tending to a lower-body damage he sustained on an Oliver Wahlstrom verify on Sunday. That was a day after the membership blew a 6-2 lead getting into the third interval towards Florida and misplaced 7-6 in extra time.
Certainly, the Devils have received solely two of their final 10 video games (2-7-1) whereas permitting 50 objectives throughout that span. Solely one of many victories got here in regulation. In fact, that one was towards the Rangers on March 22 by a rating of 7-4 in a recreation the Blueshirts led 2-0 after the primary interval.
And it's right here that we be aware that whereas the Devils have settled into their acquainted function, the Rangers are in a decidedly unfamiliar one whereas they shut in on their first playoff berth since 2017. And that's avoiding letdowns towards golf equipment out of the match image as they appear to have currently in successful solely two of their final six (2-3-1) towards golf equipment in such predicaments.
This has turn out to be a part of the dialog following a stretch during which the Blueshirts performed their finest two video games in victories over a Penguins crew they’re battling for second place within the Metro whereas shedding to the Islanders twice and the Devils as soon as in regulation and to the Flyers in a shootout on Sunday whereas struggling to get victories in extra time towards the Sabres and Purple Wings.
And it turns into pertinent with this match in New Jersey maybe a trap-door recreation previous one other showdown towards Pittsburgh on Thursday on the Backyard.
“Early within the yr there was loads being mentioned that we couldn’t beat the nice groups,” head coach Gerard Gallant mentioned earlier than the match. “Now we’re beating the nice groups however we’re letting up towards the supposedly dangerous groups, and so they’re not dangerous groups, don’t get me mistaken, they’re all enjoying for jobs and so they’re all working onerous and competing onerous.
“They don’t have an entire lot to play for within the standings, a few of these groups, however they’re going to work onerous and so they’re going to play unfastened and power you into errors, like Philadelphia the opposite night time. They labored onerous, they forechecked onerous and so they made us make some errors.
“However we’ve simply received to play one recreation at a time, it doesn’t matter who your opponent goes to be,” he mentioned. You’ve received to play your finest recreation and put together your self the easiest way you may.”
Rangers gamers have begun speaking concerning the playoffs even because the membership’s magic quantity to clinch rested at eight factors (a mix of eight factors gained or misplaced by the Islanders). Justin Braun, who has 100 video games of match expertise and went to the Cup ultimate in 2016 with the Sharks, talked concerning the significance of a crew ramping up and feeling good about its recreation getting into the postseason. Alexis Lafreniere acknowledged the problem of remaining centered on the duty at hand whereas the playoffs are 4 weeks away.
“We’re all excited for positive for the playoffs,” mentioned No. 13. “However we have now a [few] video games left, and a few huge video games, so we have now to remain within the second and attempt to win each recreation.”
There’s a problem, too, for Gallant to steadiness prep work and line-combination chemistry towards giving his gamers crucial relaxation for the match grind. It could be helpful for, say, Adam Fox to get a recreation or two off because the lengthy season winds down.
“Sure and no,” the coach mentioned. “We need to play effectively. That’s the underside line. We’re going to have 27 guys round right here shortly [when Kaapo Kakko and Kevin Rooney come off injured reserve], so damned in the event you do and damned in the event you don’t.
“You need to win hockey video games. You need to play effectively and also you need to get all people going, however when you’d additionally like to offer some folks somewhat little bit of a break, you guys are too onerous on us once we lose, so I’ve received to get one of the best out of them.”
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