Devils Need to Take Advantage of Easiest Remaining Schedule
The New Jersey Devils have the easiest remaining schedule in the NHL and need to take advantage of it ahead of the playoffs
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It got a bit tenuous at times, but the New Jersey Devils made it through the most challenging part of their schedule. Now, they'll get some relief before the playoffs begin in a little more than two weeks.
The Devils have just six games this month, and the quality of competition isn't anything they should be overly concerned about. Not only are there some winnable games for the Devils, but there'll be some much-needed rest since they've already played 76 games.
What's Left for the Devils
Last week's trifecta against the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild was the most difficult challenge the Devils had left on their schedule. They came away with four of six points across those three games, defeating the Wild twice in a home-and-home.
Now, the schedule looks doable. Per Tankathon and ESPN, the Devils have the easiest remaining schedule in the NHL. Why's that the case? Of their six remaining games, all their opponents are currently out of a playoff spot.
It starts tomorrow with the final matchup against the New York Rangers. The Devils' Hudson River rivals won't lay down, as they're fighting to claim the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they haven't been playing particularly great hockey lately.
The Rangers have an expected goals share (xG%) of 45.46 percent since March 1, ranked 27th in the NHL. They've been leaking defensively, allowing 2.77 expected goals per 60 minutes, so the Devils should be able to generate some offense, something Sheldon Keefe said the team is trying to improve to close the season.
Next up is the Boston Bruins, who the Devils play twice to close the regular season. The Bruins have been in complete free fall, losing ten consecutive games and sinking to the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The Bruins' free fall is no accident, either. Their 41.3 xG% is the worst in the NHL since March 1, and they're averaging just 1.83 expected goals per 60 at five-on-five. They've been one of the worst teams, so the Devils need to take care of business.
The Devils also play the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders, teams they've had success against this season. The Penguins are 5-3-2 over their last ten games, but their underlying numbers are rough. They have a 44.95 xG% since March 1 and are allowing 2.85 expected goals per 60, so that 5-3-2 record is unlikely to last.
While the Islanders have lost six in a row, they probably deserve better. They have a 51.2 xG% since March 1 but haven't gotten the best goaltending from Ilya Sorokin. They're also giving up a fair number of quality chances at five-on-five, allowing 2.63 expected goals per 60.
The Devils' final opponent of 2024-25 is the Detroit Red Wings. Surprisingly, their five-on-five numbers have been excellent since March 1; they have a 54.64 xG%, ranked third in the NHL. Only the Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes have better xG percentages since then.
They've gotten killed by poor goaltending — .878 save percentage since March 1 — and have had no shooting luck. It probably won't matter by April 16 since the Red Wings should be eliminated from playoff contention, and the Devils should have clinched, but that could be a tougher matchup.
Devils Will Have Plenty of Rest
Overall, the Devils have a favorable schedule competition-wise, but that's not the only thing working in their favor. They have plenty of rest this month, something that should help a team that's pretty banged up.
It doesn't change anything for Jack Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler, who remain out for the long run, but it could for Dougie Hamilton, who has a slim chance of returning before the regular season ends.
The Devils have multiple days off between games a few times this month. Tomorrow's tilt against the Rangers will be their first in five days, and they'll have two days off before playing the Bruins on April 8. They also have two days of rest between the Bruins and Penguins games.
There's one back-to-back left on the schedule, the final two games between the Bruins and Red Wings. That contest against the Bruins is also the Devils' final road game of the season, so there's barely any travel until the playoffs start.
Speaking of the playoffs, they will begin on April 19, meaning the Devils will get a minimum of two days off before starting their first-round series. It could be even more than that, depending on how the NHL sets the schedule. And they will need it if they play the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1, which seems to be the most likely scenario.
That rest could prove crucial for the Devils. Nobody is 100 percent healthy at this time of the season, and they already have some players nursing minor injuries. Cody Glass has missed the last few games with a lower-body injury, though a return may be nearing.
Luke Hughes missed last week's game against the Winnipeg Jets with a groin injury. He played in the two wins against the Wild and was excellent in each, but he hasn't taken part in morning skates or practices for the last week. That extra rest should benefit him and Glass.
Devils Need Confidence Heading Into the Playoffs
Are the Devils going to win all six games this month? Probably not, but there's certainly a path to winning most of them. Sure, their xG% of 46.57 percent since March 1 isn't great, either, but the Rangers, Penguins, and Bruins have all been worse.
The Devils could also use some confidence heading into a first-round series with the Hurricanes. No one will give them much of a chance of winning, but they might feel better about themselves if they win something like five of six games this month. And with the schedule being what it is, it gives them a chance to pull it off.
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