subscribe to rss feed add as homepage Change City
Giants News Giants Roster Giants Schedule Giants Statistics NFL Standings
Jets News Jets Roster Jets Schedule Jets Statistics NFL Standings
Mets News Mets Roster Mets Schedule Mets Statistics MLB Standings
Yankees News Yankees Roster Yankees Schedule Yankees Statistics MLB Standings
Rangers News Rangers Roster Rangers Schedule Rangers Statistics NHL Standings
Islanders News Islanders Roster Islanders Schedule Islanders Statistics NHL Standings
Devils News Devils Roster Devils Schedule Devils Statistics NHL Standings
Knicks News Knicks Roster Knicks Schedule Knicks Statistics NBA Standings
Nets News Nets Roster Nets Schedule Nets Statistics NBA Standings

Devils hope to claim playoff spot in test versus Islanders

Posted: Tue Apr 1 10:48 AM

(Sports Network) - The New Jersey Devils will try to clinch a playoff berth tonight, when they visit the New York Islanders for an Atlantic Division matchup at Nassau Coliseum.

New Jersey has 93 points and can officially lock up a postseason spot with a New Jersey has 93 points and can officially lock up a postseason spot with a win or if Washington loses in regulation to Carolina tonight. win or if Washington loses in regulation to Carolina tonight.

The Devils are also trying to keep the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey comes into tonight's contest tied with the New York Rangers for the fourth spot and is just one point ahead of Ottawa. The Devils are ahead of New York in the win column and also have a game in hand over both the Rangers and Senators.

The Rangers are idle tonight, while the Senators have a home test against Montreal.

The Devils are also seven points behind Pittsburgh for the Atlantic Division lead, but Jersey is still alive because it has four games left. However, a loss by the Devils tonight would give the Penguins the Atlantic title. loss by the Devils tonight would give the Penguins the Atlantic title.

Jersey last played on Friday night, when it ended a five-game losing streak by posting a close victory over visiting Philadelphia. Jamie Langenbrunner scored the game-winner in the shootout as the Devils posted a 5-4 win over the Flyers at the Prudential Center. at the Prudential Center.

Danny Briere had tied the shootout with the Flyers' last chance as he deked to the forehand and stuffed the puck past the left pad of Martin Brodeur.

However, the Devils still had one more shot and Langenbrunner calmly lifted the puck into the right corner past Martin Biron for the win.

Langenbrunner also scored in regulation while Johnny Oduya tallied twice and Brian Gionta also lit the lamp for the Devils, who have won 16 of their last 18 games against the Flyers. Brodeur stopped 28 shots for New Jersey.

New Jersey is 20-14-5 as the visiting team this year, but has dropped two straight and three of its last five road tests.

The Islanders, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, have lost two straight, three of four and nine of their last 11 games. New York was handed a home loss on Saturday, as Briere notched the lone goal of the shootout to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-3 win at the Coliseum.

Briere made several stick moves as he skated slowly down the ice towards Isles netminder Wade Dubielewicz. He waited until the goaltender went for the poke check at the left side of the crease before slipping a backhander into the net for the game-winner.

Richard Park, Frans Nielsen and Blake Comeau tallied for the Islanders. Dubielewicz turned in a monster performance in defeat, stopping 51-of-54 shots.

The Isles are 18-17-4 as the host this season, but have dropped six of their last seven on Long Island.

New York is 6-1 against the Devils this year and has taken seven of eight in the series dating back to last season. The Devils have dropped three straight and five of their last nine at the Coliseum.

04/01 10:48:01 ET