Time continuing to run out on Devils season after 5-3 loss to Flyers

The Flyers today proved why they are one of the NHL Elite offensive teams by playing poorly for most of the game, but still managed to win. But, the Devils who played hard fell short despite outnumbering the Flyers in almost every stat category except for shots and the score. The only positive was that Ilya Kovalchuk finally scored on a power play and the power play itself was 2 for 3 to day on the road, which only scored once before tonight's game. The Devils are one of the worst power play teams in the league this season.

The Flyers got goals from James van Riemsdyk, Claude Giroux, Mike Richards, Danny Briere and Jeff Carter added an empty netter. Giroux's goal 58 seconds into the second changed the complexion of the game. The Devils had two one goal leads in the game, a 1-0 and a 2-1 lead before Giroux scored and gave the Flyers a spark. Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias scored the other two goals for the Devils. The Devils scored their 3rd goal to come within one 19:16 into the 3rd period, but it was too late. Even a missed penalty call frustrated the Devils, but it likely would not have done them any good since only 10 or so seconds were left.

So, John MacLean's job status is still in the air, though with only one day off between now and Monday against Pittsburgh is not enough for a new coach to settle down and conduct practice. So, a decision on MacLean will not come until after the Pittsburgh game. The Devils will visit Consol Energy Center for the first time this season and franchise history, so they would want to get revenge on the Penguins who beat them 3-1 in an earlier match-up this season at Prudential Center. All, we know right now is that the Devils are in severe jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996, the year after they won the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.