Devils Positioned for Deep Playoff Run in '09
Brodeur and Elias Give Devils Momentum at Perfect Time of Year
Lost in the excitement was the enormity of the season in which these milestones are being reached. The Devils have been the hottest team in the NHL since Brodeur’s return (8-1) and have a legitimate chance to win the 2008-2009 Stanley Cup. But if the Devils do not win the Stanley Cup after the magic this season has provided, will it be a disappointment? Will fans still look back on this season with as fond memories as they would if the Devils do not win the Cup? The truth is, for any Devils fan, they have already made the 2008-2009 more special than any other non-championship season, and winning the Cup would only be the icing on the cake, not necessary, but a welcome addition.
Consistency is the Key for New Jersey
It might be a product of the sport in which they play, but the Devils provide fans with the perfect balance of winning and competition. Teams’ expectations are set early in the season and usually the team’s success lies in the ability (or inability) to meet their goals. For example, the Yankees enter every season with the end goal of winning the World Series, while the Mets would consider themselves successful by consistently making the playoffs. The Devils are a rare franchise that gives their fans consistent playoff runs with Stanley Cup Championships sprinkled in. To have a franchise operated in this manner is priceless, and keeps fans interested from year to year.
Fan Interest Generated
Possibly the best result of this season will be the excitement generated by the team that has finally filtered down to the fans. It is no surprise that the Devils struggle to sell out their arena until the playoffs come, but the breaking of records coupled with the successful return of the franchise’s crowned jewel has sparked new interest in the regular season. According to a statistical analysis done by John Frustaci of Stevens Institute of Technology, the most important factor in teams’ attendance figures is opposing teams located in a small area. The Devils have to compete with fans of the Rangers, Islanders, and Flyers (especially those people who originally lived in South New Jersey) for attendance, and it has been well documented that they suffer the obvious consequences. Even after building a new arena in Newark, NJ, the Devils have failed to draw enough interest from their fans, until now.
Preparing for a Special Finish
A Stanley Cup Championship would be the perfect ending to a special season, but it appears as if the positive work has already been done. A first round playoff exit would obviously be a major disappointment, but the team is simply better than most of the teams in the Eastern Conference. Devils fans should embrace this time, where New Jersey is finally in the spotlight during the regular season, and it is clearly warranted. It is obvious that something magical is brewing in New Jersey, and if ever it seemed like it was “one team’s year”, this one belongs to the Devils.
This article is the second half of a two-part article. Click here to read the first part.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles