As the Thrashers fight for a playoff spot, the Devils are not far behind in the standings.
It wasn’t that way so long ago.
On Jan. 8, New Jersey easily had the worst record in the NHL. After losing for the 15th time in 17 games, the Devils were 10-29-2 (22 points) -- 10 points behind New York Islanders, who have the second worst record. One of those two wins came against the Thrashers, Friday’s opponent at Philips Arena.
The Devils have been the hottest team in the NHL since Jan. 8, going 20-3-2 in their past 25 games. They trail the Thrashers by three points, and two former Thrashers have played big roles in the turnaround.
"We are fighting with everything we have," goaltender Johan Hedberg said. "Our margin of error isn't that big. We only have 16 games left, and we can't afford to lose. We have some huge games coming up, including against Atlanta."
Ilya Kovalchuk, once the Thrashers' franchise player, has 10 goals and nine assists in the past 17 games. Hedberg won seven consecutive games, including two shutouts, with Martin Brodeur injured. He stopped 166 of 173 shots (.960 save percentage) during the run.
Hedberg said the biggest difference in the team's recent play came when Jacques Lemaire returned as Devils coach.
“He came in. He simplified a lot of things,” Hedberg said. “Early in the season everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. We are tighter as a group now. The other thing is consistency. We are playing consistently night in and night out. Kovy has been playing really, really well.”
The Thrashers (28-28-11, 67 points) are 11th in the Eastern Conference and five points behind Buffalo for the eighth and final playoff spot entering Thursday’s schedule. In their past 25 games, the Thrashers have gone 7-13-5.
Byfuglien, Dvorak questionable
Dustin Byfuglien and Radek Dvorak missed practice Thursday and will be game-time decisions against the Devils.
Coach Craig Ramsay said both players would skate before the game before a final determination is made.
Byfuglien missed his first game of the season Wednesday with a lower-body injury. The defenseman left Monday’s practice early and did not skate Tuesday.
Dvorak has been hampered by a hamstring injury since he was acquired at last month’s trade deadline. He received treatment on the injury Thursday, and Ramsay said he assumed the forward would play.
“It’s not new, and he’s played through it,” Ramsay said. “I probably played him more [Wednesday] night than we had hoped.”
As a precaution, the Thrashers re-called forward Ben Maxwell from AHL Chicago on Thursday.
Shortened bench
Ramsay primarily used three lines for most of the second and third periods in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Hurricanes.
Rob Schremp, who scored his first goal as a Thrasher in the first period, played only three shifts in the second and none in the third. The forward said he fully understands Ramsay's strategy.
“It’s a stretch where it’s all about winning,” Schremp said. “If that’s what Rammer wants, that’s how it’s going to be. It’s about sacrifice for the team right now whether I score a goal, two goals. But if we need to shorten the bench to win a game, it’s not the first time I’ve been in that position.”
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