The New Jersey Devils dropped yet another tough game on Saturday night, losing 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center. David Clarkson scored the only goal for New Jersey, who trailed all night and lost their fifth straight game.
With the loss by New Jersey and wins by Washington, the Islanders, and the Rangers tonight, the Devils will fall to 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, now three points out of the eighth and final playoff spot with just ten games remaining in the regular season. It is the lowest point of their season so far, after starting out strong early.
When they needed a crucial two points tonight, the Devils offense came up short again, failing to score on key chances throughout the game.
Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur made 16 saves in the loss, and remains stuck at a unlucky 666 career NHL wins. New Jersey put 28 shots on Toronto goaltender James Reimer, but continue to have trouble finding the back of the net.
Devils coach Pete DeBoer still believes, however, that this team has enough to turn it around in their last 10 games and avoid missing the playoffs for the second time in three years.
“I don’t doubt we can string together nine or 10 wins,” DeBoer said. “We obviously have to get on the other side of that line. Right now we’re on the wrong side of that fine line where we’re just doing enough not to win.”
The Devils, who were once again without injured superstar Ilya Kovalchuk tonight, will look to quickly put this loss behind them and get back on track once again as they travel to Buffalo on Sunday for a match-up with the Sabres at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.
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