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1. The Devils are now 3-11-1 against the Hurricanes in their last 15 games. If New Jersey makes a long-shot run into the playoffs — it is two points ahead of the last-place Rangers in the Eastern Conference — it’s probably going to have to face Carolina. The Devils are 24-22-2.

2. Money Puck gives the Devils a 12.6% chance to make the playoffs. That’s the fifth-worst odds in the NHL.

3. It finally happened: General manager Tom Fitzgerald addressed the media for the first time since training camp. On Jan. 14, Fitzgerald spoke with select reporters at a roundtable press conference, a session that reporters were made aware of days before and asked to embargo until it took place.

4. The small but mighty New Jersey press contingent asked him all the right questions, in my opinion. He started and ended the presser with the same message: “This is on me.”

5. Several quotes from Fitzgerald have particularly stood out. First, his explanation of giving Jacob Markstrom a two-year, $12 million extension earlier this season. It begins next season and is already aging terribly.

“I don’t think I rushed into it,” Fitzgerald said. “It was something I’ve talked about with him and his agents since the day I traded for him. When I traded for him, the goal was to extend him. That’s never changed.

“Marky would be the first to tell you about his ups and downs this year, but when you go back and evaluate him at that point, you looked at his playoffs and how well he played against Carolina and felt that he gives us a chance to win every game. He doesn’t have to be spectacular. We don’t ask our goalies to be spectacular every game. Just give us a chance.”

6. But wait … that playoff series was a five-game sample size! He has a sub-.900 save percentage (.893) in his Devils career.

“You’re right, you’re right,” Fitzgerald said when pressed about that. “It doesn’t take away the … like he knows it. He’s been up and down, just like our team. He needs to be better. He needs to be better. But I do believe that both players (Markstrom and Jake Allen) can stabilize us when they’re playing their game.”

7. Fitzgerald offered another head-scratching quote when asked if coach Sheldon Keefe is running the same system that he did in Toronto.

“I’m not really sure … I would have to go back and check,” Fitzgerald said.

How is that possible?!

8. Since Dougie Hamilton was made a healthy scratch last Sunday, the veteran defenseman has four points in three games and has topped most of the game score charts. Hamilton would apparently be traded to another team if not for his leverage — a $9 million salary and a 10-team trade list. What the Devils do with him will determine whether they’re serious about contending this season or not.

9. Should the Devils even be buyers at this point? A desperate Fitzgerald making a panic trade should terrify Devils fans.

10. Here’s your weekly reminder to check out our YouTube show “Speaking of the Devils.” This was our most successful week yet! Join in on the fun.