R.I.P 2010-2011 New Jersey Devils: Despite recent win streak, Devils unlikely to miraculously make the playoffs

OK, the Devils are finally on some kind of roll, but a minimal amount of fans and analysts believe the Devils can make some kind of miracle run and sneak into the 8th spot in the playoffs. That being said, I am not one of them. While, some people and the Devils themselves are happy with their play right now, most believe that most of the players are showcasing themselves for trade value. The trade deadline is February 28th, a Monday and players like Brian Rolston and Jason Arnott along with Colin White and Andy Greene could get moved. Dainius Zubrus is also in the mix.

While playoffs are still possible, the Devils have 34 games left. They are 20 points out with 3 games in hand of the 8th place Thrashers. It would take a monumental collapse by them and teams that are battling with the Thrashers for that spot like Carolina, Florida and Buffalo. Jacques Lemaire has said that he will only think about the remote possibility to sneak into the 8th spot if the Devils get within five points out, so that is a while away. Some fans believe they should lose to land a top 3 pick in the June Entry Draft.

If you are a mathematician and want to analyze a way they can make the playoffs, you can say that to get within 10 points they have to get 20 points. To get within 5 points they have to get 10 points after that. To get in, they would have to get 8-10 points after that. But that is assuming the Thrashers and other teams mentioned above begin to tank and slide. With 34 games left that is virtually impossible. I still believe they can get within 10 points, but I think that will be all they will get within. In my mind they have to win at least 26 out of their remaining 34 games to even have a shot at getting to 85 points, which might not be enough. And the 8 games they can at least lose, some of them have to come via a shootout and overtime.

I will say that if the Devils miraculously and shockingly make the playoffs, Jacques Lemaire will be a runaway winner of the Jack Adams trophy for coach of they year. Plus, no team would likely want to play the Devils in round one especially with a healthy Zach Parise, who is expected back in mid-late March. Parise's injury was definitely the one that killed the Devils season for the most part or at least allowed them to dig themselves into a grave. So, one way or another the most points the Devils can get if they win their remaining 34 games is 103, but they have to win at least 26, so the theme for the Devils for the rest of the season is Mission: Impossible.