Imagine if the Devils solve some of their recurring issues. At 9-1-1 since the All-Star break, how much better can they be?
They still could use help on defense, where Henrik Tallinder (leg clot) and Adam Larsson (lower back injury) remain idle, with no return in sight. And with Travis Zajac less and less likely to help this season, another center would be welcome.
The Marek Zidlicky situation remains unresolved, with the Devils perhaps unable to handle the rest of his $4 million salary. As a precondition of receiving advances on future revenue from the league, The Post reported a secret payroll budget was imposed on the Devils. That budget, separate from the salary cap, may not have room even for the $1 million left on Zidlicky’s salary this season.
A new trade candidate has emerged — former Islander Chris Campoli, expected to be launched out of Montreal by Monday’s deadline, with a full-season salary of $1.75 million. He used to play well against New Jersey and that often appears to be a leading qualification (see Alexei Ponikarovsky).
Winnipeg is unlikely to deal Johnny Oduya now that the Jets are in the playoff hunt, and many other defensemen still available — Bryan Allen, Lubomir Vishnovsky and Jaroslav Spacek — are expensive.
That’s general manager Lou Lamoriello’s problem. The coach, Peter DeBoer, still has the other one that has haunted his team all season — its third period foldups.
It happened again Tuesday in Toronto, when the Devils blew the lead with 43.5 seconds left in regulation, winning 4-3 on Mark Fayne’s overtime goal. It was the third straight game in which they gave up the first goal of the third period, and though they won all three, they must correct the near-panic they betray when foes abandon defense to try to tie a game.
“That’s what we’re dealing with and we’re trying to clean it up,” Martin Brodeur said. “Even though we’re winning, we have a lot of room for improvement.”
The Devils have been out-scored a telltale 73-46 in third periods this season, and Tuesday was the 32nd time their foes scored first in the third period, compared with 18 times for New Jersey. Opponents have tied the score 16 times in thirds, compared with 10 times by the Devils, and taken the lead 15 times, while the Devils have grabbed nine leads in their thirds.
New Jersey is a remarkable 21-2-2 when leading after two periods this season, 5-13 when trailing and 9-5-2 when tied.
That all sounds fine, but the Devils have been largely bailed out by their 14-4 overtime and shootout record, as they were Tuesday.
In seven weeks, they won’t have such luxury. Playoff overtime is far more akin to third periods, 5-on-5, than to regular season 4-on-4 OT. Their third-period struggles bode ill on that score, and there will be no playoff shootouts.
Nevertheless, the Devils are seven points behind the Rangers, with three meetings left, starting Monday at the Garden.
Picky, picky.
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With a portion of each discounted ticket’s price going to help the families of the victims of the Yarolslavl Family Victims Fund, the Devils are offering $61 seats for $35 for their March 8 visit by the Islanders. Ilya Kovalchuk has been a driving force in raising funds to help those left behind from that plane crash, and the tickets are available through the Devils’ web site, with code KOVY. A free hot dog and soda is included. … The Devils, winners of four straight, all with Brodeur, play host to Canucks tomorrow and Tampa Sunday. … Brodeur is 8-1 in nine games. … The Devils have allowed two power-play goals against in seven games (18 times short). … The Devils have had four fruitless power plays in three games.
mark.everson@nypost.com