The chase for first place took a back seat to resting the captain and the franchise last night.
Scott Stevens sat out his first game of the season while Martin Brodeur rested for the fourth time in 10 games last night when the Devils tried to snap a two-game home losing streak, playing their makeup game against the Blackhawks.
Stevens’ night off left only Patrik Elias and Colin White as Devils who have played every game this season, and Stevens, who turned 37 on April Fools’ Day, had hoped to put in the full slate for the first time since 1995-96.
“If they can guarantee me that it’s going to make a difference in the playoffs … ” Stevens said last week of the possibility of sitting out healthy.
Stevens has played 752 of 785 games since arriving in New Jersey, and he stands plus-34 this season, third in the NHL behind Joe Sakic’s plus-41 and Elias’ plus-39, entering last night.
The Devils, who visit Southeast leaders Washington tonight, trying to stretch their road winning streak to nine games, one short of the NHL record, were trying to close the gap last night on Ottawa. The Senators, with three games left, held a two-point lead on the Devils. The Devs, including last night, have four games remaining, while Ottawa had the advantage of two extra victories, the first tie-breaker.
New Jersey also gave Martin Brodeur his fourth game off since the arrival of John Vanbiesbrouck March 12. Vanbiesbrouck stood 3-0 since coming from the Islanders for Chris Terreri and a ninth-round pick. Brodeur only sat out four times in the previous 56 games.
Without their two top players, the Devils were trying to regain some of the edge they lost after their 13-game winning streak was snapped by the Penguins last week. Going into last night, the Devils were only 2-2 in four games following that streak, including Saturday’s loss to the Rangers. That loss ended their 23-game unbeaten streak over their rivals.
“After 78 games, there’s bound to be a little mental fatigue,” Larry Robinson said. “That’s what I’m most concerned about now.
“This so-called [Ranger] streak and the pressure of trying to finish first, sooner or later takes its toll. That’s what I’m trying to guard against. We want to be fresh when the playoffs start.”
Bobby Holik, who has been waiting for the playoffs to start for weeks, agreed.
“Maybe we are a little mentally tired,” Holik said.
They probably also have had a little letdown from losing their shot at the NHL record of 17 straight victories, a streak that fell short of its date with destiny last night.
Despite their recent mediocrity, the Devils still stood 31-9-7-3 since Jason Arnott and Scott Niedermayer joined the team after signing as restricted free agents Nov. 19. They needed one point to clinch their fourth Atlantic Division title in five years last night.
With today being the Devils’ last regular-season visit to Washington, it appeared they would not be making the traditional White House visit that follows a Stanley Cup triumph … Devils play host to Bruins Friday and complete season Saturday in Montreal, when they may have a shot at tying the 10-game NHL road-winning-streak record shared by last year’s Blues and the 1983-84 Sabres … Hawks were winless in last seven (0-5-1-1) … Chicago had not beaten Devils (0-2-1) since Oct. 10, 1998 in Chicago, and were 0-1-1 at the Meadowlands since Dec. 30, 1997 … Hawks were 0-2-1 since coach Alpo Suhonen took medical leave of absence for heart condition.