New Jersey Devils: Schedule Finally In Team’s Favor
By Nick Villano
For the past month, it’s been a watch party for New Jersey Devils fans, looking at the Florida Panthers remaining schedule. After surviving the hard part, the Devils now have the schedule in their favor.
Finally, another team does the New Jersey Devils a favor. While it’s been New Jersey Vs. Everyone for months, down the stretch this team did need some help. Up until the puck dropped on Wednesday night, the Devils did not control their own destiny. If they won every single game remaining on the schedule, there was a path where they missed the playoffs.
That all changed once Wednesday night’s games concluded.
The Florida Panthers lost in regulation to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It came down to the wire, with Evgenii Dadonov scoring with just over a minute left to bring the Panthers within one. Still, it was the best possible result for Devils fans.
Now, looking at the schedule, things are in the Devils favor. The Panthers have seven games remaining. Of those games, three come against the Boston Bruins, who are in a dog fight for the top overall seed in the Eastern Conference, and another comes against the Nashville Predators, who currently lead the President’s Trophy race. The Panthers only have two cupcake games left against Buffalo and Ottawa.
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The Devils, on the other hand, have three games against teams that are already eliminated and thinking about next year. They play the Pittsburgh Penguins next, who may be looking to at least win one against New Jersey. This team ends the season with Washington and Toronto, who both may be locked into their playoff spot by that point.
The Devils currently lead the Panthers by three points with only one game at hand. Tonight’s loss by Florida really changes the narrative of the playoff push. While the Devils could not afford to lose any games, now one loss doesn’t ruin the season. They shouldn’t take any games for granted, but a loss doesn’t eliminate them from the playoff push.
For once, the schedule looks good for Devils fans. We all need to send a thank you to New Jersey native James Van Riemsdyk, who scored the game-winning goal for the Leafs Wednesday night. That made this final stretch much easier.