Where Will the Devils Finish in the NHL Playoff Race?
Hey, hockey fans! The NHL playoff race is heating up, and everyone’s buzzing about where the New Jersey Devils are going to end up. With the final month of the regular season approaching, it’s time to dive into the standings and see how things are shaping up.
Current Standing & Key Players
The Devils have had an interesting season. General manager Tom Fitzgerald made some bold moves last offseason, snagging goaltenders like Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, and bringing in defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon. These decisions made the team look like contenders for a good chunk of the season. However, injuries, particularly to star player Jack Hughes, who’s out for the rest of the season, have dealt the team a tough hand.
So where do they currently stand? Right now, the Devils are sitting pretty in the No. 3 spot in the Metro Division with 76 points after 66 games. That puts them just behind the Carolina Hurricanes, who are No. 2 with 82 points, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are nipping at their heels as the East’s second wild card with 70 points.
Upcoming Challenges
Tonight, the Devils are hosting the Edmonton Oilers (7:30 p.m. ET). This is going to be a crucial game as the team works to solidify their playoff position. They have 15 games left, and only five of those are against current playoff teams. Here’s what’s at stake:
- Devils: 76 points, 31 regulation wins
- Hurricanes: 82 points, 34 regulation wins
- Blue Jackets: 70 points, 23 regulation wins
- Senators: 73 points, 25 regulation wins
If the Blue Jackets can leap over the Devils, it could shake up the playoff bracket. Luckily, projections show the Devils are likely to hang on to a playoff spot with around 94 points, which seems to keep them ahead of the Blue Jackets’ potential 86.7 points.
What’s Next?
As the regular season rolls toward its dramatic conclusion on April 17, there’s plenty of excitement ahead. We’ll keep our eyes peeled on the playoff matchups and the overall race for the NHL draft lottery.
Stay tuned, because the best part of hockey is just around the corner—playoff season!
