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head coach: Jacques Lemaire

roster: C - Doug Gilmour, Bobby Holik, Bob Carpenter, Denis Pederson, Petr Sykora, Jason Arnott, Sergei Brylin, Brendan Morrison. LW - Dave Andreychuk, Brian Rolston, Patrik Elias, Jay Pandolfo. RW - Randy McKay, Steve Thomas, Krzysztof Oliwa. D - Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Lyle Odelein, Kevin Dean, Doug Bodger, Sheldon Souray, Brad Bombardir. G - Martin Brodeur, Mike Dunham.

injuries: 2/26 - LW Scott Daniels, charley horse, on IR. 3/7 - C Doug Gilmour underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on right knee, out ten days to two weeks. 3/26 - RW Randy McKay, sprained left knee, day-to-day.

transactions: 3/23 - Assigned G Richard Shulmistra to Albany (AHL). 3/27 Recalled LW Jay Pandolfo from Albany (AHL). 4/02 - Recalled C Brendan Morrison from Albany (AHL).

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team           GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
x-New Jersey   76  46  21   9   101  208  149  
x-Philadelphia 75  39  25  11    89  220  177  
Washington     75  36  28  11    83  202  189  
NY Rangers     77  23  36  18    64  186  217  
NY Islanders   74  26  38  10    62  194  209  
Florida        75  23  40  12    58  184  231  
Tampa Bay      75  17  49   9    43  144  241  
x - Clinched playoff spot

game results:

3/24 Philadelphia  W 3-2
3/26 at Colorado   W 2-0
3/28 at Phoenix    W 3-0
3/29 at Dallas     L 3-1
4/01 Carolina      L 4-0
4/03 Ottawa        L 3-2
4/05 Phoenix       W 3-2

team news:

by Phil Aromando, New Jersey Correspondent

That huge sigh of relief you heard coming from New Jersey wasn't because Doug Gilmour's knee had miraculously healed, that they managed to avoid a four-game losing streak for the first time in two seasons, or even that they finally managed to crack the 100- point mark for the third time in five years. It had to do with the fact that their cross-river playoff tormentors were mathematically eliminated from having the opportunity to insure, once again, that the Devils would not have a chance at winning another Cup before they do.

The one team that the Devils play against with a distinct, irrational, self-induced disadvantage will not be there to torment, frustrate or otherwise dash their dreams of glory. They may very well get bounced from the first round by Ottawa or Carolina, but at least there is no possibility it will be at the hands of the Rangers. Vanquishing the ghost of Messier can wait for some other year.

But as these playoffs begin there are other concerns. In the past week, two potential first-round foes handed the Devils ugly losses. For a team that's so "dominant", small weaknesses in single games could become psychological blocks in series play; especially against teams they have yet to consider serious threats. And that's part of the problem.

One of the elements that made the revamped Devils so interesting and exciting in the early Lemaire years was a sense of having to prove something. It seemed as though this team could play with and beat anyone on any given night. They had a huge level of confidence borne out by their heart, not necessarily their all-around talent. As they have quietly assumed a role as one of the league's "elite" teams, that aspect of the team's character has slowly evaporated. They are no longer considered underdogs, they're favorites. And it seems to be something they haven't quite come to grip with. As great as this team plays, they still cast about for an identity if they're not leading after the first period. They may be one of the most one-dimensional powers this league has seen in a while.

Of course, Doug Gilmour was brought in to inject a dose of much needed offensive certainty. But he hasn't seen the ice in over a month. And now, Randy McKay, fresh off one of his best games ever as a Devil (a hat trick against Philadelphia, the only Jersey goals) is sidelined with a knee injury of his own. Steve Thomas is hurting and Brian Rolston was benched over the weekend. The offense is becoming a sticking point. Not even Dave Andreychuk, who has been playing well defensively, has been scoring. It looks like he's assured of his lowest single-season goal output ever. Is this team as much of a lock on being Eastern Conference finalists as they looked right after Winter Break?

Gilmour's injury, which supposedly wasn't serious, obviously is. Lemaire was hoping he'd get back for at least a few games to get his timing back, but that looks less and less likely; he hasn't even skated yet. Apparently, the ligament in his right knee was stretched more than initially realized. This may very well be season ending. And Devil-career ending. If he doesn't make a showing in the playoffs it's guaranteed he will not re-sign with this team.

The Devils may have managed well without Gilmour but now that Randy McKay is down, a significant portion of their offensive talent is missing (McKay sprained his knee but it's also true that his ligaments were stretched; no word on his return yet). Bobby Holik will obviously continue playing like the leader he has evolved into, but without McKay on his line, they lose some grit. Not that Patrik Elias can't step into the role. He had two big goals against Phoenix on Sunday and has generally seemed to be over the scoring drought that he was mired in. It's just that with McKay you have a proven playoff performer - he could play a Claude Lemieux-like role; he played especially well against Philly this season. Elias has only eight NHL playoff games under his belt. Of course, Scott Niedermayer and Petr Sykora will be counted on, but when you begin to match them up against top lines of the other potential opponents deep into playoffs - can you see them single-handedly carrying this team?

Obviously the Devils will rely on their defense and opportunistic goals from anyone capable of getting the puck on net. Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens and the rest of the interchangeable flock of defensemen will carry this team. That's why it was so ominous to see the Senators score three unanswered goals in the span of four minutes last Friday night. Will a sequence like that turn an entire series around?

The good news is that Brendan Morrison is going to be a bona fide NHL'er. There is no doubt that he will have an important role on this team next season. He scored five goals last Wednesday night for the River Rats and when he plays with the big boys, he demonstrates a creativity and awareness not seen in many home-grown Devil centers. His play against Ottawa was impressive. If not for him, they could easily have been shut out. Just don't expect him to score two goals a game throughout the playoffs. He's not Gilmour, yet.

Although there are six games left, the playoffs seem to be what everyone is focused on. To that end, Lemaire held a team meeting on Sunday and told the players that the President's Trophy was important; that the Jennings Trophy was attainable and that it was possible, if they played well enough, to secure the goalie season wins record for Brodeur. It seemed to him that the team was drifting, only concentrating on the Round of Sixteen, but not necessarily preparing for it. He wanted to bring some focus to players that may not be able to jump start themselves or return to the form they exhibited all season. After all, a first round series isn't the time to realize the games really begin to count.

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 7 at 9:00 AM
Tickets To Be Sold In 8-Game Strips Covering Rounds 1 & 2 Tickets for all possible home games in rounds one and two, in eight-game strips, limited to four strips per person, are priced as follows:

Ticket Price No. Home Games Eight-Game Strip
$80.00 8 Not Available
$70.00 8 Not Available
$55.00 8 $440.00
$45.00 8 $360.00
$40.00 8 $320.00

The Continental Airlines Arena box office is open:
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday Noon - 5:00 PM

To charge tickets by phone, please call:
New Jersey (201) 507-8900
(609) 520-8383

New York (212) 307-7171
(914) 454-3388
(516) 888-9000

Dates and times of Stanley Cup Playoff games will be announced by the National Hockey League upon completion of the 1997-98 regular-season schedule. For further information, contact the Devils' ticket office at (201) 935-6050.

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