New Jersey Devils Season Could Come Down To Rivalry Game vs. Rangers

The Devils have won only six of their last 20 games. There really is nothing more that needs to be said.

In that stretch of 20 games, the Devils have scored 42 goals. That's just two goals per game. They've let up 60. In case you're mathematically challenged, that's three goals per game.  

The offense has struggled, even after the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk. The defense has struggled. Martin Brodeur has looked shaky at times. 

The team finally plays their first home game since February 12, after their three game west coast swing following the Olympic break. Their opponent tomorrow night is the New York Rangers.

If the team's recent play and the fact that some of the team's Olympians haven't been home for about three weeks isn't enough to give this team a boost, then the fact that they are playing their closest rival should certainly bring their game up a notch. If it doesn't, there could be a problem.

Every team goes through stretches like this during the season. Every team, every year. It happens. But there comes a point when you look at the team and say, "It's time to snap out of this slump." Tomorrow night, against their cross town rivals, it the perfect time.

I personally think Kovalchuk is due for a big game. It will be his 10th game with the Devils. That is enough time now to make him a little more comfortable on the ice with his teammates, and vice-versa. This will be his second exposure to the cross-river rivalry, and that should only help.

The Rangers are fighting for a playoff spot, so there is no question they will also bring their A game for this matchup. However, there is also no question that the Devils are the better team. The Devils are at home. The Devils need to make a statement in this game. 

If they don't, there could be some drastic changes coming down the stretch.