The New Jersey Devils are basically committed to a playoff spot this season. They are 19 points up on the Pittsburgh Penguins with 12 games remaining in the season. If the Devils lose 80 percent of their games for the rest of the season, they still make the playoffs. They are pretty much set to face the New York Rangers in the first round of the postseason. They are trying to figure out who’s getting home-ice advantage, with the Devils holding a five-point lead.
The Devils are focusing solely on the playoffs. There are few goals when a playoff spot is basically locked. On top of it all, the Devils need to pinpoint its roster. Things seem pretty secure for most of the team. We covered the daily players who are still fighting to play in the postseason. Now, let’s take a look at players that can play spoiler.
During the 2012 run to the Stanley Cup Final, the Devils fourth line gained a ton of headlines. Stephen Gionta was a huge contributor to the line. What most Devils fans don’t remember is Gionta played one NHL regular season game before making the playoff roster. That can happen again to the Devils this year. Let’s start with the one that is making his case on the NHL roster right now.
Nolan Foote
Nolan Foote is front of mind after scoring the ever-important insurance goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night. The Devils needed to get out of a three-game losing streak, and they had a third-period lead against one of the scariest teams in the league.
Foote’s always been known for his incredible shot. For some reason, he’s struggled to translate it to the NHL and AHL. Since he was traded to the Devils organization in the Blake Coleman trade, Foote has 44 goals in 145 games. In the NHL, he only has four goals in 17 games.
However, if Foote shows he’s clicking with the fourth line, Lindy Ruff might give him a chance. Foote has value in a certain role, and the Devils have that role open if Nathan Bastian and Miles Wood struggle to return to the lineup.