Despite being eliminated from postseason contention, the banged-up Devils have hurt the playoff hopes of some wild-card contenders in recent weeks.
Late last month they surprised the Canadiens and Saturday they put a crimp in the Coyotes’ chances with a 2-1 shootout win at Prudential Center, sending Arizona to its fourth straight loss.
“We got the point, but we have some guys playing tight,” said Arizona coach Rich Tocchet, whose team is on an 0-2-2 run. “It’s my job to get these guys to relax.”
The Devils won because Blake Coleman and Pavel Zacha scored in the fifth and sixth rounds of the shootout and goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood made 23 saves in regulation and was beaten on one shootout attempt as New Jersey won for only the fourth time in 14 games (4-9-1).