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Originally Posted by activeStick
Yeah, I don't see the Devils missing the playoffs but I'm very surprised at how "just okay" they have been. They have the players, but for whatever reason they just can't seem to reach the next level.
They're essentially neck and neck with Ottawa and Columbus right now when you consider both teams have played less games, though to be fair, they need to win those games in hand. Carolina also has played less games and is only a point behind them without Andersen who's been injured since November, returning probably in Feb/Mar and was having another elite season before he got hurt with a 0.941 (!!) save percentage. If it stays Devils and Carolina as the matchup in Round 1, and the Canes get Andersen back, I see a big problem for them exiting the first round.
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In the East on paper I would have Toronto, Florida, Tampa and Carolina definitely better. Washington is somehow better. The thing they might save the Devils was the bizarre horrific stretch the Rags went through. The Rangers are 6-2-2 over their past 10 but they may have dug too deep of a hole to catch the Devils (11 points back with 4 games in hand). But if the Devils can fall into the wildcard group they could easily miss the playoffs. Fingers crossed, it would be great if they did. They were bubble team going into the season and look they are still a bubble team.