The Devils aren’t the only team slumping. The Senators lost their fourth straight at Florida by a score of 2-1. Dmitry Kulikov’s power play goal broke a 1-1 tie in the third. The Sens finally got back starting goalie Craig Anderson. But his 15 saves weren’t enough. Ottawa is hanging onto sixth with 44 points. The Rangers and Islanders are two behind. The Rangers are at fifth Toronto tonight. The Leafs have 46. The two Original Sixes have a home-and-home with Toronto visiting MSG Wednesday. 

The Islanders and Devils have each played 39 games. Both are idle while the Rangers play No.39 at Air Canada Center. Winnipeg has already played 40 and trail Southeast leading Washington by two. The Caps remained hot thanks to two more goals from resurgent captain Alex Ovechkin. They came back from a goal down to beat Tampa Bay 4-2. Ovechkin was coming off a hat trick. He’s on fire with  15 goals over his last 13 games. Since 3/14 when he also lit the lamp against Carolina, the Great Eight has tallied 16 goals and nine assists for 23 points in 15 contests. Indeed, those who wrote his obituary did so too soon. Apparently they forgot how explosive he is. Full marks to Adam Oates, who has his team in position.

While everyone’s been focusing on the three locals, the Sabres are playing their best hockey. Patrick Kaleta and Steve Ott scored and Nathan Gerbe beat legend Marty Brodeur for the shootout winner. Ryan Miller made 37 saves and stopped Sullivan, Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac to give Buffalo their third win in a row. The Sabres rank 11th with 38 points. They have nine left. They’ll need to probably win at least six and sneak out a couple of more Bettman points. Considering how unpredictable the year has been, don’t count them out.

At 37 points and 12th, the Flyers are too inconsistent. Their play remains baffling with not enough defense and goaltending. Unless Ilya Bryzgalov returns to our universe, it could fall on Steve Mason. Claude Giroux will have to carry a depleted roster.