New Jersey Devils: 10 Reasons Why They'll Make the Playoffs

There is absolutely no doubt that the New Jersey Devils are the best team in the NHL right now. Their hockey has been solid and productive, their efforts have been tremendous and uplifting and they are getting the results they need to make a run for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Since the arrival of their savior Jacques Lemaire, the Devils look somewhat like their dynasty days a few years back.

The New Jersey Devils have come from 27 points out of the playoffs to eight points out of the playoffs, and with 17 games left, things just seem to be going better than ever.

Although it is a bit hopeful, hockey faithful everywhere hope to see this playoff push come true. Here are 10 reasons why it will happen.

10. Current Standings Position

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 04: Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils tends net against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center on March 4, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Penguins 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty

Although it isn't the greatest at this point, the New Jersey Devils are 20-2-2 in their last 24 games and have won 12 of their last 13, leaving them eight points out of the eighth spot with 17 games left. 

                         GP    W   L    OTL  PTS

7	NY Rangers	68	35	29	4	74
8	Buffalo	65	32	25	8	72
	Carolina	66	31	26	9	71
	Toronto	66	29	28	9	67
	Atlanta	66	27	28	11	65
	New Jersey	65	30	31	4	64

9. Upcoming Schedule

In sports anything can happen—that's why we love to watch. As for the New Jersey Devils, their next five games are absolute must-win games. They should have the expectation of coming away with 10 points in the next five games as they reach a "soft spot" in their schedule. 

                                 AWAY              HOME

TUE MAR 8, 2011	SENATORS	DEVILS
FRI MAR 11, 2011	DEVILS	THRASHERS
SAT MAR 12, 2011	ISLANDERS	DEVILS
TUE MAR 15, 2011	THRASHERS	DEVILS
THU MAR 17, 2011	DEVILS	SENATORS

8. Parise Comeback

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NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 08: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Dallas Stars at the Prudential Center on October 8, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

When things couldn't get any worse for the Devils, they did. Losing Zach Parise to a knee injury for the past four months has been gut-wrenching for New Jersey.

But on March 2, when he was cleared to skate, Devils faithfuls got a sense of hope that Parise will possibly make it back to the lineup to help the surge to the playoffs.

I am going out on a limb because it's not 100 percent certain that Parise will play again this season, but if he gets his endurance back, the razzle-dazzle forward will be a HUGE addition to the Devils lineup.

7. Fans and Devils Army

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NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 08: Fans before the game between the New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars at the Prudential Center on October 8, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Prudential Center has been "rockin'" the past few weeks. Devils fans were starting to give up and say, "There's always next season," but with the best thing that could happen to them, Jacques Lemaire, the Devils have made a charge in the second half of the season and have fans on the edge of their seat.

You can feel the electricity circulating in Newark, and fans are confident that the Devils are the best team in the NHL. As some remain a little pessimistic about the Devils actually getting a playoff spot, a smirk grows on Devils fans after every win.

Empty seats are a rarity now at Devils games as the house fills up to supports Jersey's team.

6. Penalty Kill

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 04: Patrik Elias #26 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center on March 4, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Penguins 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Image

The Devils' special teams have been nothing short of spectacular in recent months. They have improved in all aspects of their game recently, in particular the penalty kill. Although you can say their power play hasn't been the greatest, on the opposite side the goaltender and defense have been extremely good.

The Devils have only allowed 28 power-play goals this season, leaving them in third behind only Nashville and Florida, with solid play from Johan Hedberg and Martin Brodeur saving shots like crazy on the PK and defense limiting the shots to the goalies.

Honorable mentions to Colin White, Henrik Tallinder, Andy Greene, Anton Volchenkov, Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac for their continuous good play shorthanded.

Being good shorthanded can take a team far into the season and help the Devils continue their rolling streak of wins.

5. Jacques Lemaire

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Jacques Lemaire of the New Jersey Devils looks on against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on December 23, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Since starting in December he has brought the sloppiest and worst team in the NHL to one of the most organized teams and almost back to .500.

Lemaire announced his retirement as a head coach in the NHL on April 26, 2010. However, on December 23, 2010, after New Jersey Devils head coach John MacLean was fired after only 33 games, Lemaire came out of retirement to coach once again for the New Jersey Devils.

On February 10, 2011, Lemaire achieved his 600th regular season win after Ilya Kovalchuk scored in overtime to win the game for New Jersey against Toronto 2-1. Lemaire became only the eighth coach in NHL history to achieve this feat.

He is the reason for the turnaround, hands down.

4. Goaltending

Probably the best duo in the NHL, the New Jersey goalies have quick hands and good puck-handling skills, traits needed to excel in the playoffs.

Best Goalie Goes to...

Martin Brodeur. One of the greatest goalies in the history of the game has never had a losing season in his career. As the Devils did, he struggled and is finding his form slowly. Making three glove saves in the shootout versus the Islanders on March 6th proved his dominance. He has been on point and proves to us that as long as he is in the pipes, the Devils have a chance.

Best Supporting Goalie Goes to...

Johan Hedberg. It's hard to try and take time away from Brodeur, but Hedberg is turning into a fan favorite with his nickname belted every time he makes a save, "Moose!" He took over when Brodeur was injured earlier last month and was a big part of the Devils' success in the past 24 games.

If the two continue to complement each other, the Devils will find their way into the playoffs in historic fashion.

3. De-Fense

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 04: Henrik Tallinder #7 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center on March 4, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Penguins 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Im

The Devils have won 12 of their last 13, but their defense is to thank. Although a win is a win, the Devils have not been a high-scoring team, and they won their last four games by only one goal and in a shootout.

The defense has been superb on the forecheck and in the neutral zone, as well as matching with aggression helping on the offensive side of the puck.

The Devils are notorious for having good defenses and have proceeded to live up to their reputation in the second half of the season. Led by Volchenkov, Tallinder and White, the Devils defense has been a brick wall at The Rock and will need to keep it that way for playoff hopes.

2. Experience

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 02: Brian Rolston #12 of the New Jersey Devils skates during an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center on March 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

The Devils have a tremendous amount of experience helping their younger players. The veteran line of Brian Rolston-Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus has been phenomenal. This line was put together after the Jamie Langenbrunner trade and has been gold for Jacques.

Elias' puck-handling skills and scoring are as tight as ever, Rolston is still a sniper and Zubrus is playing beautiful two-way hockey. These three respected players have lifted the Devils by leading by example.

Every time you look at a score sheet you see one of these guys assisting, scoring, getting points, etc. They have been a big part of the surge to the eighth spot, and if they have anything to do with it, the Devils will be in the postseason.

1. Ilya Kovalchuk

Kovalchuck Game Winner 3/4/11

Arguably the comeback player of the year. Ilya Kovalchuk has been the best player in the NHL, and that's a big reason why the Devils are the best team. The Devils will need his leadership and goals to go far in the playoffs, but Kovalchuk has had four game-winners in their 20-2-2 stretch, which is staggering.

The Devils forward hadn't lived up to the hype of his enormous contract until Jacques took over, and now with Zajac and Nick Palmieri at his side, Ilya has been one hell of a player. Scoring in the shootout versus the Islanders and a goal in regulation helped the Devils pull within eight points of the eighth spot.

The New Jersey Devils' No. 17 is going to be a huge reason why they will make the playoffs.

Let's Go Devils

The road to the playoffs.