The Matchup: New Jersey Devils (35-31-2) @ Washington Capitals (34-27-8)<\/p>\n
Last Devils Game<\/p>\n
On Wednesday night, the Devils defeated the Rangers by a score of 6-3 in New York.<\/a> No, that\u2019s not a typo. The Devils did defeat the Rangers 6-3 back on March 7th, and they beat them again by the same score on March 18th. That\u2019s 12 goals, in their last 2 games against the Rangers. Yes, the Rangers are awful (still dead last in the East as of 3\/18), but beating the Rangers never gets old. Ever. Jack Hughes and Connor Brown each had a 3 point night, with a goal and 2 assists for each of them. Even Jesper Bratt had a goal, giving him goals in back to back games for the first time since\u2026.checks notes\u2026.January 27th and 29th. Sheldon Keefe continued his new found obsession with Jacob Markstrom. The goalie got the start (and win) in net for the Devils, his 9th start in the last 10 games for the Devils. I\u2019m guessing that Keefe thinks this team still has a shot at the playoffs, and is going to ride him until they are mathematically eliminated.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Last Capitals Game<\/p>\n The Capitals also played on Wednesday night defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-1, keeping their slim (but better than the Devils) playoff hopes alive.<\/a> The teams went scoreless in the first period before 40 year old Alex Ovechkin got the Caps on the board with his 25th goal of the season (his 922nd goal of his career). Everyone\u2019s \u201cfavorite\u201d player Tom \u201cthat\u2019s totally a clean hit bro, you just don\u2019t like him because he\u2019s not on your team\u201d Wilson added his 25th goal of the season in the 2nd period as well. Ottawa got to within 1 goal at 17:19 of the 3rd period, but Washington sealed the victory with 2 empty net goals. Yes, you read that right. Two. Empty net goals. The win puts Washington 6 points out of the final 2 wild card spots, but both teams (Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings) have a game in hand on Washington, so\u2026good luck Caps!<\/p>\n Injuries, Roster for Tonight, Yada, Yada, Yada.<\/p>\n Have I mentioned before today, that this is the roster the Devils will continue to run for the remainder of the season barring any new injuries? I did? Ok, sorry. Just checking. I guess that I have also mentioned that Keefe has an unhealthy obsession with Jacob Markstrom too? Sorry, just checking on that one as well. Perhaps if the roster was healthy all season, they might be in the mix, but who knows. I genuinely don\u2019t get the almost refusal to play Allen at this point, but I\u2019m guessing once they are officially eliminated, he might get some more games. Until then, keeping running Markstrom out there Sheldon!<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Grimace\u2019s Prediction and 2025-2026 Record Tracker<\/p>\n Grimace was able to have a good laugh when I went to visit him yesterday. I showed him the email I received from the Devils ticket representative that both called AND emailed me yesterday. He had a near fit of hysteria when I showed him that I better make a deposit now \u201cto secure my seats\u201d for 2026-2027!<\/p>\n Grimace\u2019s 2025-2026 Season Prediction record currently stands at 13-14-0.<\/p>\n Your Take<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing quite like the excitement of a mid-March NHL game. Teams are fighting for playoff position, trying to build momentum heading into the post season. It all carries such anticipation that maybe this year, your team could be next. And then there\u2019s this matchup, between 2 non-playoff bound teams. Nothing says snooze fest like two teams currently sitting out of a playoff spot, playing for a\u2026.paycheck I suppose, in mid-March, just going through the motions, waiting for tee times. Enjoy! Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below and thanks for reading!<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n In a shameless bit of non hockey related self promotion (approved by Chris \u2013 thanks Chris), I wanted to plug my brand new podcast on here, if any of you are interested in listening. We have a light hearted, fun discussion about any movies, music or video games mostly from the 1980s and 1990s. Please feel free to listen to us on any of the formats below and any feedback is welcome (positive and negative). Also, please follow us and subscribe, even if you think we stink. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n