MONTREAL – It has become chronic. If the Devils’ main malady continues, it will be fatal. They just aren’t beating playoff-bound teams, and the playoffs start in less than three weeks.
“I don’t think we’ve beaten a playoff team . . . it’s been a while. We still haven’t beaten one,” John Madden said after the Devils tied the Canadiens 1-1 Friday at the Meadowlands.
They hadn’t beaten any in March, last triumphing against a playoff-bound foe Feb. 22 when they toppled Calgary at the Meadowlands. They entered last night 5-12-1-2 in their last 20 overall against playoff teams, winless in six (0-4-1-1).
On the road, their woes are even worse against those whose seasons stand to extend beyond April 4. They faced their rematch with the Canadiens here last night having lost their last five (one in OT) such visits, including a 2-1 defeat here March 1.
In fact, they last beat a postseason-headed team on the road Jan. 31 in St. Louis, or if the Blues drop out of the playoff picture, Jan. 10 in Toronto. They were 2-8-0-1 in their last 11 road games against playoff foes.
The loss of key defensemen Scott Stevens and Brian Rafalski is an obvious culprit in this slide against the best teams. They are also being outskated, and scoring is again an issue.
They were hoping to start turning around this alarming trend here last night, and simultaneously give Martin Brodeur his 400th career victory in his native and home city.
“We have to get used to these games,” Brodeur said after being denied his 400th at the Meadowlands. “[Friday] was like a playoff atmosphere, and [last night] is going to be, too.
“Emotionally, we have to start learning how to play in these situations. This will be a great test to see how we handle this pressure.”
The Devils arrived here needing only one point gained by themselves or dropped by the Sabres to clinch a playoff berth for the eighth straight year. A victory Friday would have done it.
“We expect every time to clinch what we have to clinch on the first try,” said Brodeur, who was trying to become the first goalie to reach the 400-win level with his first team. He also sought to become the youngest-ever at 31 years, 219 days, and fastest, at 734 games.
Only Patrick Roy (551), Terry Sawchuk (447), Jacques Plante (435), Ed Belfour (430), Tony Esposito (423), Glenn Hall (407) and Grant Fuhr (403) stand ahead of Brodeur on the all-time victory list.
“Now I hope it’s not going to be at home,” said Brodeur as the Devils began a four-game road trip.
