Devils lock down sixth with win!

The New Jersey Devils locked down the sixth position in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders at the Rock.
The team exchanged goals five minutes into the game with Patrik Elias scoring(26) with the game just 78 seconds young.
Travis Zajac (2) power play and Ilya Kovalchuk (35) completed the Devils scoring.
New Jersey will travel to Detroit on Thursday before finishing the season on Saturday afternoon against Ottawa.

Hell Raisers

1) The biggest story is the loss of Jacob Josefson for likely the remainder of the season with a broken wrist after making contact with the stick of former Devil Jay Pandolfo.
Josefson will miss four to six weeks,so a long playoff run might enable Josefson to return,but it would take quick healing combined with at least a conference final trip.

2) It is a shame to lose Josefson just as he was starting to develop some confidence.
New Jersey has desired all season to be a four line team and just as they have been able to do so with the return of Travis Zajac,the injury occurred.
I am sure that this is going to lead to some sort of a line shuffle,but no word on those decisions as of now..

3) Speaking of Travis Zajac,you had to feel good for his game winning one timer past Al Montoya.
Zajac looks to rounding into form just in time for the playoffs in order to give the team their most talented passing center.

4) The win locked up no worse than the sixth seed for the Devils.
The fifth seed is possible but unlikely as the Devils would need to win their final two games and the fifth place Flyers would have to lose both of their games in regulation..

5) Johan Hedberg was the winner in what is likely his final start.
Hedberg was solid in net,although this was a pretty tepid outing for the Islanders.
Honestly,this was a pretty low key affair except for...

6) The Cam Janssen-Michael Haley brawl.
Lots of energy and punches thrown in the battle.
Janssen was active for the game because of a lower body injury to David Clarkson,who will return to the lineup tomorrow in Detroit....

I will be back later with the Cavaliers against the Spurs and I will be working on the Pirates and Indians season previews over the next day or two....



Photo Credit:AP Photo