The dream is dead. There is nothing else the New Jersey Devils can possibly play for. About 24 hours after Tom Fitzgerald was let go, the Devils are now out of playoff contention after a 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Jacob Markstrom was terrible to start both the first and second period, which put them behind 2-0 then 4-1. It was a microcosm of the entire season. Markstrom has been bad all season. On this night, he was especially bad. Deep into the third period, the Flyers had just 15 shots, but the Devils had no chance to win.
Speaking of no chance, the Devils playoff chances were never more than 1% for a while, but they weren’t completely done until now. They were playing much better since the Olympic break, but they dug too deep a hole to get themselves out of. And now, it’s over.
The New Jersey Devils season is officially over with four games to go
If we’re talking in circles, it’s because that’s how this whole season has felt. For every step forward, there were 10 steps back. They couldn’t get out of their own way, and everything good that came happened way too late.Â
We have a few positive memories to share. The Golden Goal from Jack Hughes will live on forever as one of the greatest moments in American sports history. Simon Nemec’s hat trick with the final goal coming in overtime was incredible. Jack Hughes had his own hat trick against the New York Rangers. Sheldon Keefe finally beating his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, had to feel good for him. The Devils even got one of the few early wins against the Colorado Avalanche.Â
There were way too many bad memories, however. Most Devils fans will say this is one of the hardest seasons they’ve ever dealt with. The expectations were sky high, and the Devils couldn’t even stay in the playoff race.Â