Devils Clinch Playoff Berth on Fan Appreciation Night

NEWARK, NJ – The New Jersey Devils have punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2012 after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 at the Prudential Center on Fan Appreciation Night of the team’s 10th season in Newark.

Devils forward Miles Wood scored the game-winning goal on a shot through Frederick Anderson’s five-hole off a backhanded feed from Patrick Maroon, who also had an assist on the team’s first goal earlier in the second period.

Pavel Zacha scored the equalizer off a wrist shot that beat Anderson on the blocker side from the slot, capitalizing on a beautiful feed by Maroon. Later in the game, Zacha blocked the would-be game-tying goal in front of the net with just over five minutes left in the third period as Keith Kinkaid was out of position after giving up a rebound on a sprawling save.

With the win, Kinkaid improved his record to 16-3 since February 13, which leads all NHL goaltenders over that period.

“To clinch on Fan Appreciation Night and have it come down to the final seconds was a lot of fun,” Devils leading point scorer and Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall said after the game. “The fact that I was traded here and how the Devils organization and the fans have treated me personally, it was a good feeling to hear that final buzzer go and see that playoff logo on the jumbotron. Hearing that ovation is what it’s all about.”

Devils captain Andy Greene and center Travis Zajac are the only two players left from the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals team, much less the only ones who played in the team’s inaugural year in Newark.

“When we first came in here, we were at the other end of the spectrum, battling for home ice (in the Stanley Cup Playoffs),” Greene explained after the game. “Obviously we went through some down time (over the last few years), but it makes tonight even sweeter.”

“For us to do it tonight in front of our fans and on our own terms is awesome,” the 11-year NHL veteran added. “The beginning of the year set the tone for that. We worked really hard as a team and got rewarded on Game 81 tonight.”

Brian Boyle, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia before the season is one of the few players on a young team with experience in the Stanley Cup Finals. He made back-to-back appearances in 2014 with the New York Rangers and in 2015 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“It’s been such an emotional year and a crazy ride,” Boyle explained after the game before being joined by his son in the locker room. “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of some really good teams and with some great people, and there’s a lot of the same characteristics in here – it’s a lot of driven guys working towards one goal.”

The grind to make the playoffs has been a rewarding one for New Jersey native Kyle Palmieri, who played in the organization’s youth hockey club.

“It’s awesome – my family has been here every step of the way,” suggested Palmieri, who grew up in northern New Jersey and played high school hockey for St. Peter’s Prep. “This is as good as it gets and it’s the best time of year. Growing up, this is what you dream about, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and we’ve got an awesome opportunity in front of us to make some noise and we’re excited.”

Their opponent in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs has yet to be determined as is their seed. The Devils can finish as high as the second seed in the Metropolitan Division or the claim second and final wild card spot. A win on Saturday against the Washington Capitals would ensure at least the first wild card spot, and a matchup against an in-division opponent.

* Photo credits in the lead photo are courtesy of @NJDevils Twitter and were given approval to use by the New Jersey Devils PR staff.