After a summer spent dealing with Ilya Kovalchuk contract issues, the Devils lost eight of their first 10. They sputtered through November and December, and by Jan. 15, they were 12-29-3. The word "playoffs" may have prompted Lou Lamoriello to go into a Jim Mora-esque tirade.
But now, a month later, if you type "New Jersey Devils" into Google, you see headlines that include the words "playoff" and "chances."
"New Jersey Keeps Winning, Keeps Thinking Playoffs," says SBNation.
"Red-hot Devils won't give up playoff dream," says ESPN.
"Don't count out the surging New Jersey Devils," says ProHockeyTalk.
It's pretty crazy, but it is possible for the Devils to go on a run and make up the 12-point differential that currently separates them from a playoff spot. Stranger things have happened.
It makes you wonder how Lamoriello will operate over the next 11 days. Jason Arnott will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, while Zach Parise will be a restricted free agent. Both players could net the Devils some serious talent and/or picks.
Add in that Martin Brodeur, at age 38, might finally be seeing his age catching up to him (his .898 save percetage would be his lowest mark since his rookie season in 1991-92), New Jersey may have to start looking into a new goaltender for the first time in about 20 years.
The Devils could stand pat and try to make an unlikely run at the Cup, or they could start thinking long-term and add pieces to surround Kovalchuk for the next five years. An entire league awaits Lou's decision.
