A look at the Devils’ final 8 games, and it ain’t pretty

Analysis By Kevin Canessa Jr.

With just eight games remaining — and with the team trailing the 8th-place Rangers by four points in the standings — we thought we’d take a look at the remaining games with a forecast (we rarely do this) to get a sense of just what the Devils will have to do to be a post-season team in 2013.

Tonight, v. Ottawa at home

It’s Ottawa, and no matter how good or bad they are, our franchise never seems to play well against them. But it’s been what seems like ages since the Devils have won. And they’re home. And lest we forget, seven of the last eight losses have been by one goal. So let’s say the Devils win for the first time since March 23 here. (1-0 in final 8).

April 15 at Toronto

Toronto is playing its best hockey in a decade. (1-1 in final 8).

April 18 at Flyers

There’s something magical about when the Devils play Philadelphia when they’re down and close to being out. This is a win to a team that may not have the same coach next time the two teams play. (2-1 in final 8).

April 20 v. Panthers

Oh yeah, it’s the Panthers, right? Wrong. But it’s different this time around. The Panthers are done, and the Devils are now desperate. (3-1 in final 8).

April 21 at Rangers

The last time these two met at Madison Square Garden was Game 5 of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. Like the Devils, the Rangers are also in despair. No magic in this one at a frenzied MSG. (3-2 in final 8).

April 23 v. Montreal

Devils finally extract some revenge against their northern counterparts. (4-2 in final 8)

April 25 v. Penguins

You don’t beat the Penguins two days in a row earlier on and then expect the East’s (perhaps) best team to come in her and just fold eh? This could be one of the uglier games of the stretch. (4-3 in final 8).

And finally, April 27 at Rangers

Are you kidding me? Who made this schedule up? 

When I first saw this on the schedule, my first reaction was: Shit, the playoff seedings will long be decided by the time this one rolls around. Hah! Foolish thinking, eh?

On the final night of the year — or day, depending on whether NBC flexes out this game — it’ll be the two bitter rivals again. And depending on what happens with the New Yorkers, it could determine which team gets in — and which team gets to the links sooner than the other (by about two weeks). 

And based on how this Devils team has played much of the year, I see no reason why or how they win this game, though much stranger has happened this season. But gun to the head, Rangers win this one, too, and the Devils’ final 8 games see them go 4-4, for a total of 48 points. 

Considering TODAY, the Rangers have 44 and will get 4 points in games against the Devils, that would mean the Rangers would have had to lose every other remaining game for the Devils to get in. And even then (I don’t want to look it up right now), I am pretty sure the Rangers get the tie-breaker.

So even with a 4-4 stretch the end the season, the Devils are outside looking in. And giving this team four wins in this period is STILL a major stretch of the imagination given how they’ve played the last two months. 

Man do I hope I am wrong.

What say you? We’d love to hear what you think will happen in the final 8. Drop comments in the box — you don’t even have to sign in.