It's down to Carolina or Pittsburgh

Things just got a lot simpler as far as determining the Devils' first-round playoff opponent with Philadephia's 3-2 win over the Islanders this afternoon.

The Flyers' win eliminates them as a possible first-round opponent for the Devils and narrows it down to Pittsburgh and Carolina.

With the Devils defeating Carolina, 3-2, in regulation this afternoon, it will come down to tonight's game between Pittsburgh and Montreal at Bell Centre.

If Pittsburgh gets at least one point in that game (win or overtime/shootout loss), Carolina will be the sixth seed and face the Devils in the first round of the playoffs. If Montreal wins in regulation, Pittsburgh will be the sixth seed and face the Devils in the first round.

Game 1 will be Wednesday or Thursday at Prudential Center.

Regardless, the Devils are feeling a lot better about themselves than they were 10 days ago when a 6-1 loss in Pittsburgh extended their losing streak to six games. Since then, they've won four out of five and feel like they've restored at least some of their confidence.

"I think the confidence is restored in a good way," Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. "I don't think the confidence is where it was in February, but that might be a good thing. Now, we are on that edge of understanding that we can't get that far away from it and I think that's real important going from here."

The Devils feel that at the very least their psyche has been stabilized. Being strong mentally and reacting the right way to adversity are especially important in the playoffs.

“These are long seasons and you’re going to have stretches of up and downs and the playoffs are the same way, up and down,” goaltender Martin Brodeur said. “We have to understand that you can’t be affected by what’s going on all the time because when you do it affects how you perform. In the playoffs, it’s important to be composed and I think we got out of the funk that we were in and we did a good job and we all did it together. It wasn’t one guy that took us out of the hole we were in. Everybody chipped in and now we’re looking forward.”

Head coach Brent Sutter was pleased with the appoach his team took today's game even though it had no effect on the Devils' playoff seeding.

"I thought we played a very good hockey game under tough circumstances as far as it was a situation where there was nothing that was in it for us as far as standing-wise," Sutter said. "But there was certainly a lot in it as far as pride and keeping our game at the level that we wanted to keep it at and continuing to grow off of what we've been doing here in the last 10 days or so. It was another step from the Ottawa game. I thought there was a lot of energy and we were on our toes and awareness was very good.

"And our goaltender played well, so it was a strong effort by everybody."

Comments

[Speedz]

I hope its Wednesday, I can't wait for more hockey.

[Andrew]

i want to play the canes first round. they seem to be slowing down too.

[dannyd]

Yea, I agree Andrew, I would much prefer Carolina over Shitsburg. And especially with how poor the PK was today, we would be crushed by Pitt with all the PP opportunities Bettman/the refs would hand Crybaby Crosby.

[BF]

I agree with Andrew - the Canes peaked at the wrong time. Pittsburgh seems to still be rolling. Either way, it's going to be a hard road. Cam Ward owns us, the Hurricanes are good to begin with, and then Pittsbugh just doesn't seem to ever lose. That offense scares me too...

[Zorin]

IDK about the Cains peaking and all that. Buffalo rocked them 6-1 and today, they only lost 2-3. I was at the game and felt they played well and are still dangerous. Both CAR. goalies rarely, if ever, have any rebounds and that's a problem no matter who you are. PITT is very strong though right now and they got Satan back to go with what they already have. I guess I would rather play the Cans, but I don't think the NJD just think it's going to be easy or that they peaked.

[Magnus]

The tougher the opponent, the better. If you want to set your sights on going all the way you have to be able to beat any team. Let's compare 2000 to 2001: the first year the Devils had to face a tougher opponent every round which meant great preparation for the finals. In '01 they kinda cruised through every round but Toronto, especially Pittsburgh in the conference finals, and they were clearly not as mentally prepared as the Avalanche who had to battle all the way.

[Xander Crews]

You have to be able to beat any team but that doesnt mean you should chose to start off with the strongest team... The Canes are no cake walk and the Pens are the eastern champs still.

Id much rather face the Canes and work up to the Pens then just get thrown right in against the toughest team (imo ofcourse) in the conference.

[Captain Fun]

Anyone who says you have to beat all the best teams to win the cup can be disregarded. Its simply not true. We had an easy ride in '03 when you think about who we could have played with the exception of Ottawa. In '00 Florida was perfect in the first round....they had one player. I like our team but the people last week that said, "yea I want Pitt, not montreal, Fla, etc..." are in fantasy land.

[Will in Maine]

so... who will be cheering on the Pens tonight? I know I will be. I think both Carolina and Pitt have hit their peak, but both will be rough in the playoffs. If only our PK was better, Carolina would be easier. I assume what "few" practices the Devils have from now until wed or thur PK will be on the top of the agenda.

[John B]

Magnus, the Avs didn't have much of a contest in the conference final against St. Louis themselves that year either - they took them out in five just as the Devils did Pittsburgh...

The best sign of today was that Brodeur didn't let any bad goals in. If he's sharp, the team is going a long way. I'd like to see a better penalty kill, but it's better that a PK trying to get itself up to steam plays Carolina rather than the Pens in the first round.

Let's Go Devils!!!