NHL Playoffs 2012: Why the New Jersey Devils Already Have an Edge in Round 3

Whether it is the New York Rangers or Washington Capitals, the New Jersey Devils’ next adversary in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs will have played the maximum limit of 14 games through the first two rounds.

In the post-lockout era, only two other conference finalists have had the same excessively grueling path to the halfway mark of the postseason. Neither of them had much left to expend once they entered the third round.

After upsetting the Devils and the Boston Bruins in 2009, the Carolina Hurricanes took their 8-6 playoff record and saw it devolve to a final of 8-10 with a third-round sweep via the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Upon using seven games apiece to dislodge the Capitals and Penguins in back-to-back rounds in 2010, the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens saw their startling run come to a rapid end with a five-game loss to the Flyers.

Although the Caps and Blueshirts will have a rare two full days of regrouping and preparation for their rubber game at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, the intensity is only going to peak come game time.

And after spending all of that time thinking about each other and not the Devils, the victor will likely need to turn around for a series opener versus New Jersey on either Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

As valuable as momentum can be, there are also times in a playoff run where heads need to be cleared and bodies need a break from the rhythm of nonstop game preparation. For the Devils in particular, that formula is most ideal and they garnered it Tuesday night when they ended their conference semifinal in Game 5.

With Washington forcing a do-or-die joust against the Rangers with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday, New Jersey now has four extra days to scout each of its two prospective opponents. The other Eastern Conference finalist will have to cram by comparison.

In addition, the brief deceleration in physical activity ought to give 40-year-old goaltender Martin Brodeur a better chance of seizing the upper hand early on either Henrik Lundqvist or Braden Holtby.

Brodeur, who besides fewer games has also worked less overtime than Holtby or Lundqvist in these playoffs, is the eldest member of the Devils roster. And he is the only one who has had to stand up on the ice for every minute of game action.

At this point, any lack of extra rest would likely hurt him just as much as the time to recharge will help him.

Anyone playing in front of Brodeur, who may have been concealing moderate ailments or brooked a clear ailment against the Flyers―Marek Zidlicky comes to mind―will likewise benefit from the increased opportunity to recover.

No one on the Rangers or Capitals benches will have nearly the same opportunity. On the contrary, with each team embarking on its second straight Game 7, all participants will run the risk of sustaining additional physical hindrances.

At best, any hope for recovery from medical ailments or mere fatigue will need to be put on hold as everyone gears up for Saturday’s showdown.

With decisively fresher legs, fresher minds and a more seasoned game plan, the Devils shall have virtual command to commence the conference finals next week. All that remains to be seen is to what extent they will capitalize on it.