Devils Drop Stanley Cup Rematch, Playoffs Nearly Out of Reach

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The team that knocked the Devils out of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final all but knocked them out of the 2015 playoff race as well. The Los Angeles Kings — also fighting for their own playoff lives — beat the Devils 3-1 on Monday night, pushing the Devils 12 points back of the Ottawa Senators with just nine games left to play.

In typical Devils fashion (for this season) they struggled mightily on the offensive side of the game while Cory Schneider did his best to keep them in it. By the end of the first period the Devils trailed 2-0 thanks to goals from Andrej Sekera and Tyler Toffoli. The goal by Toffoli was almost unstoppable as it came on a five on three power play. The Devils finished the period with just three shots compared to the Kings’ 16.

The Devils’ lone goal came on a fluky ricochet off the boards from a shot by Eric Gelinas that bounced right to Scott Gomez in front of an open net. Of course Gomez wouldn’t miss from there and the goal gave the Devils a little life.

Unfortunately, Anze Kopitar put the game away for the Kings when he beat Schneider early in the third period to make it 3-1. Despite putting up double digits in shots (12) for the period, the Devils were never able to get back in it and suffered their 12^th regulation home loss of the season.

The Devils will next skate on Thursday March 26^th at 7:00 pm vs. the Washington Capitals on MSG+2.