Devils Eliminated From Playoff Contention

With a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and a New York Islanders win, the New Jersey Devils have been eliminated from playoff contention.

With a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and a New York Islanders win, the New Jersey Devils have been eliminated from playoff contention. 

The Devils fell to the Maple Leafs 5-2 and the Islanders were able to hold off the New York Rangers to win 4-2. Both outcomes resulted in the Devils being eliminated from playoff contention.

Last season the Devils broke their four-year playoff drought. They enjoyed a season where they put up 112 points with 52 wins leading them to second place in the Metropolitan Division. The Devils finished third overall and watched their superstar Jack Hughes set a new franchise record in points.

This season has not replicated any of the success from last year.

The Devils sit in seventh place in the Metro with only 37 wins and 79 points. They've fired their coach, traded their pick big offseason acquisition, had goaltender woes and have watched their superstar play through a major injury. 

With three games remaining, it's better for the Devils to know their fate now than squeak into the playoffs with an undermanned and underperforming roster. Hughes has already planned his shoulder surgery and now the Devils can give more ice time to their younger players in their last three games. 

The Devils can look forward to the NHL draft and free agency where GM Tom Fitzgerald has said they'll be very active.

The Devils' final three games are against the Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and the Islanders. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.