NEW JERSEY IN THE SPRING

The Devils struggled for years before making the NHL playoffs. It finally happened in thrilling fashion

TpaolfrreefcaodncysiowubosynDgtehoveinihlgseahurantdsbtheeatestnreitnchs.eNveonw,goanmethsedfoiwnanl HE YOUNG AND dspaoyt oinf the p1l9a8yo7f-f8s8wsaesawsointh, ina sthinecire gthraespfrafnocrhtishe afrirsivtetdimine NgreewateJsetrsgeaym. eItinwDoeuvldilsthakisetotrhye.

Needing a win to claim the wfNineaawtclhYipnolgrakyforRoffmanbgteherertsht,eawfmrhoomlowuntehgree aDtevMilasdiwsoenreSqtiueadre2-G2arwdietnh, the WBlahceknhaTwrokys iMnuthrreatyhibrdlopckeeridoda. pCorainigt Wanodlanbienatshroot kfireomgoathlie Satea9n:2B7,urtkhe oDnevials bwreoankdaewready dwiheeitnhsetrortihedeiCr hdicraegaomSstawdiouumld. onIenetnhde oelfevthaetedicep,rDesesviblsoxGaMt Lou Lamoriello continually left hHcroiesoffkespieeeo.auw“tIrieatwdhnodaucllupdopafccuoeasudftnienntrteLhrocavutopyuaessaloyarf. plaarytoy.fIfswawsa1s8, oSuerancwoamsi1n9g-aonudt our captain (Kirk Muller) was 22J.oJohhnnMnyacMLaecanwascso2r3e.d” on his ogowanlierDeabroruendPaanggaaint s1t1:5H7awankds a save by Burke on Keith Brown ordevumerriantignmaine2.g-Kosenen-n1Dt batrnheeaykkgwoamiatnhed1inP:1ta8ot fViersrtbetewkohgaodalssc,obruedt itthwe aDsevMilas-’ bPcLuaentagMnmwaachLdoeactnahmepeiontuihtniracoeludpgahodansgtatohinpe,. 2re:2b1ouonfdOTto. end the game after

It was the goal and the game that legitimized the Devils.