Devils Daily

Devils Daily: Somehow Still in the Race; Blackwood Making Sharks History

Published

6 months ago

April 1, 2024

James Nichols

Credit: Hockey Shots/Dean Tait

Every time it feels like it’s over for the New Jersey Devils, the teams they’re chasing let them creep back in.

The Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings each lost in overtime on Saturday, and the Philadelphia Flyers lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation.

The Devils are now more directly chasing the Flyers who have dropped to the second wildcard spot because the Capitals jumped them, each holding onto 82 points but Washington holds two games in hand on Philly.

Philly is sputtering a bit here down the stretch. They’re 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and have lost two in a row. It’s another big week for the Devils who face the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers back-to-back this week, plus the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators over the weekend.

The Devils will hit the ice at 11 A.M. for practice today to prepare.

In the links, a Devils prospect scores a huge goal in the NCAA Frozen Four qualifying tournament.

Elsewhere, Mackenzie Blackwood shining in San Jose, Kyle Okposo returns to the playoffs, and Philly’s dwindling playoff odds.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devils News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils prospect Ethan Edwards has a huge performance in the absence of Seamus Casey for the Michigan Wolverines and advances to the NCAA Frozen Four.

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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Shane Wright is having a strong season for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The Seattle Kraken have recalled their top prospect to the NHL down the stretch of the regular season.

San Jose Hockey Now: Believe it or not, if it weren’t for former Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, the San Jose Sharks would be much worse than they already are. In fact, Blackwood is having the best season in net of any goaltender in Sharks history just behind Evgeni Nabokov.

Florida Hockey Now: For the first time in eight years, Kyle Okposo is back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His New York Islanders knocked out the Florida Panthers in the first round back in 2016. Now, he’s trying to win it all with the Cats.

Philly Hockey Now: This one is certainly of interest to Devils fans. With seven games left in the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2023-24 season, the NHL playoff push is surprisingly trending toward a dramatic finish. Here’s an updated outlook on what Philly’s playoff odds are.

Nashville Hockey Now: Nashville Predators 2023 first-round pick Matthew Wood has two years of college eligibility left, but he won’t be spending that at the University of Connecticut.