The New Jersey Devils go into the All-Star Break about as low as one team can feel. After winning just two games in the last 13, they still somehow hold on to a playoff spot.
This All-Star Break couldn’t come at a better time. The New Jersey Devils need a break to reflect on what this season has been thus far. It’s had the highest of highs and some pretty low lows. However, despite being in the worst possible stretch of the season, this team still sits in a playoff spot.
The Devils are closer to out of the playoffs then they’ve been all season. This is the first time the team is not in one of the top three spots in the Metropolitan Division. The Devils are actually one point away from being on the outside looking in. That’s the negative look at things.
Here’s the positives: the Devils are also one point out of second place in the Metro. They also have games in hand of every single team in the division. Sure, the losing is all we can remember right now, but winning two games will turn everything around immediately.
Think about this, Taylor Hall was forced to see how poorly the team played while he was in the trainer’s room. He was healing from a surprise hand injury. The Devils lost all three games in his absence. He’s going to come out firing when he returns, which is expected to happen Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres.
Speaking of the Sabres, this can be a chance for the Devils to put all their woes behind them. This all started with the Sabres. This losing streak came after a completely botched offsides call against Hall on what would have been the game-winning goal ended a six-game winning streak. The Devils have been snake-bitten ever since.
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
If the Devils beat the Sabres, they move on to two Metro Division games. They take on the Philadelphia Flyers, who’ve only played the Devils during this losing stretch, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who’ve yet to match up with the Devils.
It may seem unlikely, but if the Devils are able to win all three games this week, they will likely see themselves back in second place in the division. Just like that all the terrible feelings go away. All the called off goals become fodder for a great season.
The playoffs are still this team’s goal. Do it for Hall. Do it for Brian Boyle. Make sure Nico Hischier knows that this is becoming a winning culture. Even if this team loses in the first round, getting to the playoffs is a major step in the right direction. Keep your focus on the goal at hand.