Tonight the Devils will celebrate #PattysLastLap as they honor career-Devil Patrik Elias. –Getty Images
Match Overview
The Devils (28-38-14) take on the Islanders (39-29-12), who are still in a battle for the last wildcard spot in the Eastern conference, in what is the Devils’ second to last game. Since this is the Devils’ last game at The Rock this year they will be celebrating Patrik Elias who is set to retire at the year’s end. Elias will be warming-up with the Devils’ for the final time and a little ceremony will commence before puck-drop. Regarding the actual game, this can define the Islanders’ season. This is a must win for the Islanders, who are chasing the Maple Leafs for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern conference. However, if the Maple Leafs win their game tonight the Islanders will be eliminated regardless. The main storyline to follow in the Devils’ 80th game of the season: will the Islanders keep their playoff hopes alive? Will the Devils’ send one of their most popular players of all-time off with a win?
Projected Devil Lines
Henrique-Zajac-Palmieri
Hall-Zacha-Cammalleri
Blandisi-Josefson-Bennett
Wood-Coleman-Thomson
Greene-Merrill
Lovejoy-Kapla
Severson-Moore
Kinkaid (8-12-3, 2.58 GAA, .920 Sv%)
Devils will be taking on the Islander and goaltender Jaroslav Halak. Tonight. –Getty Images
What/Who to Watch
- It is expected that the Islanders will have Jaroslav Halak in between the pipes for the 6 PM game this evening. Halak has had a tumultuous year as he struggled early on and was sent down to Bridgeport (AHL) but after a call-up a couple weeks ago he has been impressive.
- The race for the 2nd worse finish in the league may just be tighter than the race for the 2nd wildcard spot in the East. Every fan knows how the lottery works, the worse you finish the better odds at a better pick. The Canucks, Coyotes, and Devils all find themselves within 2-points of each other as the season winds down. Devils must lose out to secure the 2nd worse overall in the league plus get some help from the two other teams in the conversation.
- Wouldn’t it be something to see Patrik Elias lace the skates up and play? Elias will take warm-ups with the team but that is all. Maybe, just maybe, Elias will surprise everyone and play just one last time. Wishful thinking eh?
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG at 6:00 PM