Seasons hinge on such nights, when the chasees must confront their on-charging chasers.
It’s a showdown in Atlanta, where the Thrashers can catch the Devils tonight for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
Bobby Holik’s latest team has moved past Montreal into a playoff berth, two points behind the Devils. The Thrashers have won seven of nine, including a shootout triumph over Boston on Tuesday after they came back from a two-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Devils have hit the skids. Losers of four of five by a combined 19-7 margin, the Devils clearly need help up front, with few possibilities now that the trade deadline has passed.
If not Alexander Mogilny, on the farm in Albany, their other option is 2004 first-rounder Travis Zajac, who may become available as soon as tomorrow night. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound righty center is regarded as a strong two-way sniper.
The Devils can’t go after their leading prospect until his University of North Dakota team is finished with the NCAA Tournament and he decides to turn pro. North Dakota takes on Michigan tonight in the first round of the West Regional. Then there’s the region final, and should they advance, Zajac wouldn’t be available until after the Frozen Four, April 8.
Devil GM/coach Lou Lamoriello is believed ready to sign up Zajac, 20, if he opts to leave college after his second season. While he usually seasons his rookies on the farm, Lamoriello might have to see what Zajac could do for his team so in need of exactly his sort of size, skill and positional help.
Meanwhile, there are several collegiate free agents who could be signed and brought onto NHL teams. New Jersey may be interested in Cornell goalie David McKee, although that might be a hard sell considering the fates of Mike Dunham, Scott Clemmensen and first-rounder Ari Ahonen while Martin Brodeur is around, and has just signed a six-year deal.
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Devils return to face Bruins at Meadowlands tomorrow, Ken Daneyko Night . . . Devils have bought the Lowell (Mass.) AHL franchise to serve as their farm team next season. The deal will end New Jersey’s affiliation with Albany.
