The New Jersey Devils came out the victors against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, claiming the win off the stick of Brian Dumoulin, who scored his first goal with the team in overtime. The Devils needed these two points, as they were coming off a three-game losing streak and blew a lead they held in the third period. It was a good team win as they prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Devils came out of the game wondering about a very important playoff piece. Despite his struggles this season, Ondrej Palat was always expected to turn it on during the playoffs. Just three years ago, he was one of the most important players on a Tampa Bay Lightning team that made a run to the Stanley Cup Final. He had 21 points in 23 games, including 11 goals.
Even with the Devils, Palat was good in the playoffs. He had seven points in 12 playoff games. That includes two assists in the Devils' Game 7 victory over the New York Rangers.
Palat missed the second and third periods of their game against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. He blocked a shot that clearly hurt him. However, instead of skating away, he stayed on the ice and blocked more shots.
Ondrej Palat got good news after missing the rest of the Boston Bruins game
After the game, Head Coach Sheldon Keefe told the attending media that Palat's X-rays came back negative. That's good news, but Palat will miss Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Detroit Red Wings. Keefe didn't seem terribly concerned about the veteran's status.
"It's also reflective of the time of year. X-ray was negative, which in our case is positive. We'll have to monitor him."Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe
Palat is very important to the Devils. While New Jersey added veterans with playoff experience like Brenden Dillon, Brett Pesce, and Stefan Noesen in the offseason, Palat has way more experience than anyone on the roster. He has more than 150 playoff games under his belt. Nobody else on the team has more than 90. Palat has 101 playoff points. Second on the team in career points is Erik Haula with 36 (thanks to MSG's Bill Spaulding for the information).
The Devils hope tomorrow is another good day for Palat and he's able to skate before the Devils take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1. He's also been great against the Hurricanes this season. Palat has two goals and an assist in four games against Carolina this season. Palat might be frustrating in the regular season, but the playoffs is where he earns his paycheck.