NEWARK, N.J. _ The last five editions of the Stanley Cup Playoffs have come and gone without notice in New Jersey. The Devils' illustrious playoff history bookended by five-year postseason droughts.
But the drought is over. Victorious in a 2-1 contest against the playoff-bound Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night at the Rock, the Devils secured their first Stanley Cup Playoff bid since 2012.
It was fan appreciation night and more than 16,500 fan appreciated every last second of Thursday night's win, remaining in their seats well after the final buzzer to celebrate the end of an era they'll be quick to forget and embrace one they'll remember for at least the next few years.
If you were expecting the Devils' stars, like Taylor Hall or Nico Hischier, to will their team to a win, think again. On a night when they were all neutralized, it was the role players who shined, with secondary scoring proving crucial in crunch-time.
Hall's nine-game point streak came to an end but Patrick Maroon assisted on goals from Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood and Keith Kinkaid made 31 saves. It was a group effort, with the Devils effectively clogging up shooting lanes and breaking up Toronto's passes through the neutral zone.
Where exactly the Devils (44-28-9, 97 points) will finish in the standings is yet to be determined. They have at least an Eastern Conference wild-card spot secured, but dominoes will fall over the next two days.
The Devils now have 97 points with one game left to play. It's the most they've put up in a season since 2012, when they went to the Stanley Cup Final. Their 44 wins is also the most since 2012 when they won 48 games.
Maple Leafs' goalie Frederik Andersen had been a brick wall of sorts but the Devils kept hammering away to overcome an early 1-0 advantage and move ahead 2-1 for good in the second period.
Zacha netted the equalizer after picking up a turnover near the red line. He dished to Maroon on the boards and Maroon sent it right back to him for the wrister from the left circle 7:55 into the period.
A few minutes later, Michael Grabner had a quality chance to take a lead when he broke free from his defenseman and found himself all alone in the low slot. He tried to go five-hole on Andersen but the goalie denied him.
Finally, with just under three minutes left in the period, Andersen cracked. Maroon carried the puck around the net and sent a smooth backhand pass to Wood in the low slot for the finish. With the postseason firmly in their sights, the sellout crowd at Prudential Center roared as the scoreboard changed to 2-1.
It was the type of greasy scored that teams need to score in the postseason and it was produced by two players unafraid to go into the dirty areas.
While the Devils had the possession advantage in the first period, it was Andersen who had the ultimate advantage. The Devils outshot Toronto 14-9 but Andersen stopped all 14 and it was the Leafs who ended the period on top 1-0 after a power play goal by William Nylander at 6:56, 12 seconds after a tripping penalty was awarded to Nico Hischier.
Kinkaid had to stop a flurry of shots late in the third period. But the Leafs were never able to apply any sustained pressure, with the Devils able to break up long possessions.
Before the game, defenseman Ben Lovejoy said the Devils had played a good season but playoff berth would make it great. Consider this one greater than before, as the turnaround from Metropolitan Division doormat to wild-card leader is complete.
