NEWARK, N.J. (AP) β It’s easy to look at the once-proud New Jersey Devils and think they’re an organization that’s seen better days.
The three-time Stanley Cup winners are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year and fourth in five seasons.
They are 12 points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games to play. Their playoff hopes could end this weekend.
Big picture: New Jersey doesn’t have a game-breaker on offense or defense, and their best player has been goaltender Cory Schneider, whose 2.17 goals0against average is the NHL’s fifth best.
They also don’t have a coach. The team has been run by Lou Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens since Pete DeBoer was fired in December.
While it sounds dismal, there is reason for hope.
