The New Jersey Devils dominated the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. This game meant much more than just keeping their playoff hopes alive, it could be crucial in getting home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s crazy how much things can still change in the playoff race this late into the season. The New Jersey Devils won game 80 of 82 by smacking around the New York Rangers 5-2. With only two games left, the Devils can go anywhere from the two seed in the Metropolitan Division to missing the playoffs entirely. It’s that close right now.
The Devils magic number right now is two. That means, they either need to get two points in the last two games, or the Florida Panthers need to leave two points on the table in one of their last three games. It’s certainly not a lock, but the Devils haven’t been this close to the playoffs in any of their past five seasons.
While clinching the playoffs is the ultimate goal, there could be a bigger goal in mind.
If the Devils win their final two games, there’s a good chance they can move up even more in the standings. Last night, they were able to jump the Philadelphia Flyers, who lost a back-and-forth game to the New York Islanders. The Devils now sit in the first Wild Card spot, staring down a first-round matchup with the Washington Capitals.
However, if they win their last two games, and the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins lose one of their final two games, then they get the two seed. Just take a look at how close this is.
Quick #NHL standings update as of April 3/2018, 10:31EST. #FlaPanthers with a huge win, #GoBolts’ win ties them with #NHLBruins & #GoJetsGo. #Preds remain top team in the league. pic.twitter.com/btKUxu2w4Y
— Max Mainville (@tkdmaxbjj) April 4, 2018
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That’s literally all that the Devils need. Just one loss from each team. Being that Pittsburgh and Columbus play each other in their next game, that leaves the final game to decide who sits where in the standings.
Being that the Penguins play the hapless Ottawa Senators without Erik Karlsson and the Blue Jackets have the Nashville Predators, we should probably root for Columbus in their next game.
It all starts with the Devils. They still have to play the Capitals and Maple Leafs to end the season. While they both have their spots locked up in the playoffs, don’t expect a cupcake game. Both these teams want to gain momentum going into the postseason.
Still, imagine three weeks ago I told you with two games left the Devils had a chance at home-ice advantage. Funny how fast things can change in the NHL standings.