NJ Devils & Atlantic Division Weekly Snapshot: 3/14 - 3/20

by John Fischer on Mar 14, 2010 12:00 PM EDT in Division Snapshot Comment 9 comments

The New Jersey Devils showed signs of turning the corner this week with wins over the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, after a very poor shutout loss to Edmonton. Yet, they took a step back in their recovery with a loss to the New York Islanders and missed a chance to tie the Penguins in points. Nevertheless, the Penguins get a chance to retain and increase their lead, as well as get some revenge on Wednesday when the two teams faceoff. Elsewhere in the division, everyone else maintained their positions: the Philadelphia Flyers are still ahead of the playoff bubble, the Rangers still outside of eighth, and the Islanders on the outside looking in.

Atlantic Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Pittsburgh	68	40	23	5	85
New Jersey	67	40	24	3	83
Philadelphia	67	36	27	4	76
New York Rangers	68	30	29	9	69
New York Islanders	68	27	32	9	63

(updated 3.14.2010 at 9:01 AM EDT)

The win over Pittsburgh by the Devils last week may prove to be huge as they still have a game in hand over Pittsburgh (will become two after today's games) and only behind by two points. Naturally, Wednesday's rematch between the two teams will determine who has the inside track heading into the final few weeks of the season. Even with the loss to the Islanders last night, the Devils aren't out of it - but they absolutely need to build on last week's results to make something of it.

	Potential Points	Last Week	Conf. Position
PIT	8	1-1-1	2nd
NJ	8	2-2-0	4th
PHI	8	3-1-0	6th
NYR	6	1-1-1	9th
NYI	8	1-1-1	14th

It's going to be a very busy week for most of the division. Only the Rangers will play less than 4 games this week. The Devils and Flyers will lose their game in hand over the Rangers and Islanders (and in the Flyers' case, the Penguins too); but at this point, it's not really a concern. The goal for the Penguins and Devils now are to push ahead for the highest position possible. As for the Flyers, it's to keep ahead of the playoff bubble in the East and hope the Devils slip enough to catch them. Travis Hughes at Broad Street Hockey pointed out that it's possible; while a 7 point lead with no extra games isn't easy to make up, he's not wrong. The team has certainly played well enough as of late.

As for the Rangers, the goal is simple: win in regulation. They cannot be handing points away and they cannot settle for less than 2 given where they are. The eighth-place Boston Bruins are three points ahead with a game in hand on the Rangers - an uphill climb at this point of the season. Especially with only three games this week. The Islanders have a lot of teams in front of them, so they don't just need to get hot but also have Florida, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, the Rangers, and Boston to start slipping to have a shot at making the post season. It's bleak for the Isles, really.

	3/14	3/15	3/16	3/17	3/18	3/19	3/20
PIT	@ TB			@ NJ	@ BOS		vs. CAR
NJ		vs. BOS		vs. PIT	@ TOR		vs. STL
PHI	@ NYR		@ NSH		@ DAL		@ ATL
NYR	vs. PHI		vs. MTL		vs. STL
NYI	vs. TOR		@ VAN			@ ANA	@ LA

There are two intra-division games that are big in terms of positioning. If you're worried about the Flyers, then you may have to do the unthinkable and hope the Rangers win in regulation to keep them back. As for Wednesday's Pittsburgh-New Jersey game, well, I shouldn't have to tell you what result would be ideal.

On paper, it looks like Pittsburgh has the easier schedule; but if the last two months have taught Devils fans anything, that you can throw that paper in the trash when the game starts. The Penguins are more than capable at dropping some of those games, considering all non-Devils opponents involved are fighting to make the postseason. All the same, to take the division and keep fifth place Ottawa and sixth place Philadelphia at bay, the Devils need to improve on last week's 2-2 week against some tough opponents. We saw that they can rise to the occasion at home, so having three home games helps in that sense. Whether or not they'll do it is up to them.

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My predictions

I am predicting a sweep of the home games (I’ll be at 2 of them and taking my 5-0 record into them). I don’t think they’ll be firing on all engines against Boston, but will sweak by – possibly in OT or SO. Boston’s playing for a lot, but can’t seem to find their groove. A PP goal in that game will be needed.

As for Wednesnday, and my thoughts on my own personal fan karma aside, I do think they’ll bring their “A” game with the novelty uniforms vs. Pittsburgh. When the Devils have these special nights – they’ve won ALL of them. Daneyko & Stevens, Doc Emrick, and all of the Stanley Cup tributes – Anaheim, Detroit and Dallas. If you consider “throwback night” to be on par with these, bank on the Devils to go 6-0 against the Penguins this year. As for St. Louis, I just think the Devils will win and have gone 4-2 (should’ve been 5-1) against Western Conference opponents at home.

And yes, I think they’ll play Danis in Toronto and lose for reasons that I mentioned in the thread from the Islanders’ game.

I have respect for most sports fans with 2 exceptions: NY Ranger fans who grew up in New Jersey, and Dallas Cowboy fans who can't name the capital of Texas.

by Cherno77 on Mar 14, 2010 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

2-2 on the week

Wins vs. Boston and Pittsburgh and they’ll continue to play down to the level of lesser opponents and lose to STL and TOR, regardless of who is in goal.

Go Jets
Go Devils

by FrankG929 on Mar 14, 2010 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

We're not going to lose to St. Louis

They play on Thursday night against the Rangers – I’m imaging Davidson will want that game and then Sunday night at home against Nashville – in what they have to say is a “must win,” though I guess every game for them is a must win now. But I’m betting Mason plays Thursday and Sunday and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Conklin in goal on Saturday – who has not played well recently.

I have respect for most sports fans with 2 exceptions: NY Ranger fans who grew up in New Jersey, and Dallas Cowboy fans who can't name the capital of Texas.

by Cherno77 on Mar 14, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

hate to say it

but wrong on just about all counts.

Go Jets
Go Devils

by FrankG929 on Mar 20, 2010 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate being right like this.

Go Jets
Go Devils

by FrankG929 on Mar 20, 2010 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Rangers

The Rangers did us a bit of a favor today by keeping the Flyers at bay. Can I wish for an OT win vs. Boston – to give the Bruins a point in front of the Rangers?

Of should we be rooting for the Rangers to finish 8th and play Washington? Can you think of a tougher team at the bottom to beat up the Capitals in the 1st round?

But of course, a lot can change in a month. But I think Washington is a lock at 1st seed.

I have respect for most sports fans with 2 exceptions: NY Ranger fans who grew up in New Jersey, and Dallas Cowboy fans who can't name the capital of Texas.

by Cherno77 on Mar 14, 2010 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

Montreal, perhaps? Or perhaps the Lightning. Divisional teams facing one another in the playoffs are always interesting. There’s still an outside chance even Carolina could make it… as nuts as that sounds considering they were left for dead months ago.

The Caps fans all want Boston, so there’s always that angle… root to give them what they want and hope it backfires.

Ideally, I’d like to see Philly fall to 8th and face them, as I know that matchup scares Caps fans almost as much as a matchup with the Devils… but I think I’d rather Pittsburgh and Philly beat each other up first.

by elesias on Mar 15, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Penguins having tough schedule....

They have to play the Devils who just dominate them, the Bruins which will probably be a win, Carolina is now a tough customer you would think the Canes could maybe win that one, the Red Wings at the Joe, The Caps at home, Philly at the Wachovia center, Toronto at home, and Tampa at home. The last 5 games look pretty good for them facing the Thrashers twice and Islanders twice while playing the Caps once.. Pittsburgh is losing now 1-0 against the Lightning…..
Devils face other then the teams stated above are the Blues, Blue Jackets, Rangers at home, road against the Habs, road against the Flyers, home for Bruins. Then the last 6 are the Hawks, Canes, Thrashers, Panthers, Isles, and Sabres….
About 8 teams they will have to face that are not in the playoff picture now…. Key is they do not have to face the Caps. Most of them at home too.
In order for the Devils to win the divsion they would have to win atleast half or a 2/3 of the schedule…. In my thought I think it would be good to finish 2nd. You would likely not face the Flyers. You would face the Bruins, Habs, or Rangers. Devils have a winning percentage in all those games. Finishing 4th isn’t bad but you risk playing the Flyers…. It should be entertaining and frustrating over the next 3 weeks…

by RolliePollieKovy on Mar 14, 2010 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Facing the Rangers would not be good

It’s all about matchups. When you have to play a rival in the 1st round it is going to suck energy out of you – and by then (IMHO) your damaged goods by the 2nd round. In every year the Devils won the Cup, they had softies in the 1st 2 rounds (with the exception of Toronto in the 2nd round in 2000). I might get blasted here, but I definitely believe their easy draw in 2003, helped them beat Ottawa. Playing Tamps instead of Philly in the 2nd round was huge. The Flyers really tore into the Senators in that series and I believe helped the Devils get up in it 3 – 1.

Sorry, I’ve been speculating a lot . . . I will just let this photo speak for itself how excited I am for Wednesday.

I have respect for most sports fans with 2 exceptions: NY Ranger fans who grew up in New Jersey, and Dallas Cowboy fans who can't name the capital of Texas.

by Cherno77 on Mar 14, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions