The New Jersey Devils had their second to last game of the season in Carolina, and there were a few reasons to smile after the game.
The New Jersey Devils had their second to last game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday Night. There was a lot at stake in this one for both sides in very different ways.
The Hurricanes had a chance to clinch a playoff berth, and they received the results they needed. The Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens in regulation and the Canes defeated the Devils. This led to the Hurricanes clinching their first playoff berth in ten years.
The reason Devils fans should be happy is because the Devils were pretty much the better team in the game and they still lost. The excitement in the Canes and their fans was reminiscent of when the Devils made their surprise trip to the postseason last year and what could be again.
You know that a healthy Devils team with good goaltending all year would probably be in a similar position as the Carolina Hurricanes right now. The future appears bright.
Another thing is the Devils secured the sixth pick or better in the 2019 NHL Draft with their loss and the Buffalo Sabres win over the Ottawa Senators. That means they also clinched top three odds at the number overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery. The second best odds are still a possibility as the Los Angeles Kings only have one less point than the Devils and they have two games left to go while the Devils only have one.
The Devils will end their season on Saturday night when they visit Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers. MacKenzie Blackwood will likely see his final game of the season and this nightmare of a season will come to a close. There is a possibility that something great comes out of it so for that we might be thankful. Of course, no matter what we will miss the team and will be following along all summer. Good luck tonight, LA Kings!