The Devils entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the eighth straight year, the 14th time in the last 15 seasons, and the 15th time overall. The club is 106-81 (.567) in its previous 169 playoff games, and 20-11 in its previous 31 playoff series. New Jersey is 21-10 in its previous second games, including a 4-0 mark in 2003.

With a 4-3 overtime decision March 23 at Florida, the Devils qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the eighth straight season. With a 4-1 victory March 6 at Carolina, the club became insured of its 13th straight .500-plus season. New Jersey also posted a franchise record-tying 13-game undefeated streak (10-0-3) October 28-November 26, the longest in the league this season.

The Devils went 43-24-12-2=100pts in 82 games overall, with an Atlantic Division-leading 43 wins and .598 winning percentage. The club has reached the 40-win mark for the eighth straight season. New Jersey established the NHL record for fewest goals (164) allowed over an 80-plus game schedule (165, StL., 1999-00).

The Devils went 7-2-12=28pts (.619) in 21 overtime contests overall. The club's seven wins in the extra session were tied for fifth (Det. & Pit.) in the league, while its 28 points were tied for eighth (Fla. & LA). Seven of New Jersey's nine overtime decisions in 2003-04 had been recorded at the Meadowlands.

The Devils went 22-13-5-1=50pts (.598) through 41 home games overall -- their fifth consecutive 20-plus win season. The team began the 2003-04 season winless in its first four matches (0-3-1) at the Meadowlands -- its second-longest home winless streak ever (0-6-0, '83-84) to start a season. New Jersey has now posted 15 straight .500-plus seasons here at the Meadowlands.

The Devils went 21-12-7-1=50pts (.598) through 41 road games overall, allowing just 77 goals away from the Meadowlands. A 2-0 loss November 28 at Dallas marked the club's first road loss of the season, and snapped a stretch in which they were held scoreless for the first time since December 18, 2002. The team was unbeaten in 15 consecutive regular-season road contests (9-0-6) since March 18, 2003. New Jersey has reached the 20-win mark on the road for the second straight year and the fifth time in the last eight seasons.

Game three of the series will be played Monday night at New Jersey (7:00 PM, FSNY, WABC 770 AM).

~*Jazzy*~