<p>For the second time in the past three seasons, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-jersey-devils/line-combinations">New Jersey Devils</a> are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.</p>



<p>While idle Wednesday, the Devils received some help from the Metropolitan Division rival <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/philadelphia-flyers/line-combinations">Philadelphia Flyers</a> whose 8-5 victory over the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-rangers/line-combinations">New York Rangers</a> saw the Devils punch their ticket to the postseason.</p>



<p>On the season, the Devils sit third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 41-30-7 record and 89 points and appear poised to take on the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations">Carolina Hurricanes</a> in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The two sides split their four-game regular season series, taking two regulation wins apiece.</p>



<p>The Devils return to the postseason under first-year head coach Sheldon Keefe and starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who was added in an offseason deal with the <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/">Calgary Flames</a>. In his first season with the Devils, the 35-year-old Swedish-born netminder has put up a 26-15-6 record coupled with an .899 save percentage, 2.53 goals-against average, and four shutouts.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="160"></div>



<p>At the other end of the rink, the Devils are headlined by left winger Jesper Bratt who leads the squad with 88 points counting 21 goals and 67 assists coming in 78 games. In all, Bratt is one of five Devils skaters to have scored 20 or more goals this season, a group that also includes fellow forwards Timo Meier, Stefan Noesen, captain Nico Hischier, and Jack Hughes.</p>



<p>For the Devils, the club will enter the postseason without Hughes who has been sidelined since early March after undergoing shoulder surgery and is not expected to return until training camp in the fall. Meanwhile, the Devils remain hopeful that defenseman Dougie Hamilton will return for the opening round of the playoffs. Sidelined for the past 15 games due to a lower-body injury, Hamilton has been limited to 63 appearances this season in which he has collected nine goals and 31 assists for 40 points.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="153"></div>



<p>Since setting up shop in New Jersey in 1982, the Devils have hoisted the Stanley Cup on three occasions, doing so in 1995, 2000, and most recently in 2003.</p>
