Long convinced themselves, the Devils have turned their worst enemies into believers — fearful believers.
“They’re in the race. It’s unbelievable, but they’re in the race,” Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist declared after New Jersey’s 1-0 triumph in Newark last night.
The Preposterious Dream stands 14-1-2 in 17 games — that’s 30 of 34 possible points — and a playoff spot is starting to look like destiny.
The Devils have noted dutifully that they still are 12 points out of eighth place, sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference. They still are chasing a comeback from 27 points out Jan. 8, more than double this format’s record of qualifying from 12 points behind. But they believe, and now they’re convincing foes.
“It’s crazy,” Jason Arnott said, before breaking into a maniacal cackle.
The games the Devils have won lately do double duty, not only raising them nearer the qualifying level, but lowering that bar by denying points to teams likely to be among the lowest seeds. It could well be 88 points that makes the playoffs, particularly if the Devils can beat Carolina for the third time in 12 nights tonight in Raleigh, N.C.
The Hurricanes, currently holding that final berth, are on pace for 89 points (rounded to the nearest whole number), the Sabres for 86, Atlanta for 83. If the Devils beat the Hurricanes in regulation tonight, Carolina’s pace would be for 87-88 points. The Rangers are on a 90-point pace, meaning they are not safe, either.
The spirit has become contagious throughout the Devils. One example was jaded Arnott, 36, out-of-breath, diving, reaching and poking a dangerous puck out of the Jersey zone with two minutes left, the night in a nutshell. Who was that guy?
“The young Arnott,” Arnott said.
Once more, the Atlanta Connection came through for the Devils. Johan Hedberg stopped all 16 Rangers shots and made Ilya Kovalchuk’s second-period breakaway goal stand up for Jersey’s sixth straight victory.
“This was exciting. Before the game, I had more butterflies than usual,” said Hedberg, now 5-0 when the Devils needed him most, since Martin Brodeur went out Feb. 6 with a knee sprain.
Coach Jacques Lemaire would not specify his goalie for tonight’s showdown in Raleigh. Brodeur was activated from IR yesterday and said he’s ready, but Hedberg is playing as if he’s seeing beachballs instead of pellets.
“If we keep going the way we’re going, there’s no use in making changes,” Brodeur said before the game. “In this situation with back-to-back games when I’ve barely practiced, it’s obvious to go with who’s hot. But you’re asking a guy who wants to play and take part. I’m healthy enough to play.”
It may be Lemaire’s biggest decision of the season.
Hedberg had only faced eight shots when Kovalchuk broke up the scoreless battle at 8:18 of the second. Rangers defenseman Marc Staal Bucknered a backpass at the right point and Kovalchuk had no competition reaching the puck over the red line for a breakaway.
The $100 million man, one of the main engines of the Devils’ revival, dropped into his power crouch, and even though he telegraphed his shot glove-side, Lundqvist couldn’t stop it. It extended Kovalchuk’s point streak to nine games, the longest current in the NHL, while stretching his goal streak to four.
“It just seemed like whoever scored first was going to win,” Kovalchuk said.
After he scored, he swung over to the glass and exhorted the sellout crowd to whoop it up.
“It’s a game. We have to have fun,” Kovalchuk said. “They’re here to see goals, bodychecks, fights.
“I think they were excited.”
The Devils are, too. This really is happening. They may not have quite enough time, but they’re going to make it close.
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Brodeur said there was no structural damage found in what the team calls a sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
“There was nothing that would need [repair]. There was only fluid, swelling. No micro-tears, only a strain of the MCL,” Brodeur said.
A visit to Raleigh tonight starts a four-game road swing for the Devils. They visit Jamie Langenbrunner and the Stars on Tuesday, then Tampa on Friday and Florida a week from tomorrow. . . . The Flyers visit the Garden tomorrow afternoon.