New Jersey
With their playoff spot secure, the Devils are feeling good about their chances this spring. Ask Martin Brodeur about the East and he’ll tell you it’s wide open. “There are good teams in this conference but everybody has a weakness. There isn’t a clear favorite.”
Up until a few weeks ago the Devils actually had their eye on the top spot but a minor skid knocked them down in the standings. At this point, they’ll probably finish in the # 4 - 5 spot and a first round match up with the Toronto Maple Leafs is looking increasingly likely.
With Todd Bertuzzi headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, the Devils know their team will look different next year; all the more reason to make this post season one to remember. A serious injury to Radek Dvorak is cause for concern as he’ll likely miss the opening round of the playoffs but no one was complaining on Wednesday night as the Devils destroyed the Dalls Stars 10 – 3. In fact, the injury might be a blessing in disguise as Antoine Vermette played brilliantly on the top line in place of Dvorak. Vermette had 3 points (1g, 2a) and his line mate, Simon Gagne, had 6 (4g, 2a).
The East is wide open but the Devils have two things going for them; they have been to the finals before and won, and, they have arguably, the best goalie in the world playing for them.