At the conclusion of Fan Appreciation Night at the Prudential Center on Thursday, the Devils gave the jerseys off their backs to some lucky season ticket holders.
That was just the icing on the cake. The real treat occurred a few minutes earlier when the final horn sounded on the Devils' 2-1 nailbiter over Toronto to launch New Jersey into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in six years.
With Florida beating Boston, the Devils needed to win or else face a possible do-or-die in the regular season finale in Washington on Saturday. That they clinched on home ice was not lost on the players.
"Personally, it was a really good feeling to hear that buzzer go and see the playoff logo on the Jumbotron. You hear the ovation. That's what it's all about," said star left wing Taylor Hall, a first-time playoff performer in his eighth NHL season. "We didn't limp in. We didn't get help from other teams. We played our way in. That's the coolest thing about this season is how we made our own way."
The Devils' exact playoff position and opponent are still to be determined. They could finish anywhere from the last wild-card slot to second place in the Metropolitan Division, thereby earning home-ice advantage in the first round.
But that's a discussion for next week.
Thursday night was about moments like the postgame embrace between center Travis Zajac and defenseman Andy Greene, the two remnants from the 2011-12 Devils that went to the Cup Finals.
"It was a lot of emotions, obviously," Greene, the captain, said. "When we first came here, we were at the other end of the spectrum. It wasn't about whether we were going to make the playoffs, it was whether we would have home ice. And then obviously we went through a little down time there, but it makes tonight even sweeter."
The Devils bottomed out last season, finishing with an Eastern Conference-worst 70 points. No mainstream analyst predicted their rise to anything above mediocrity this season. Playoffs? Maybe in a year or two.
Yet they did it, mainly on the back of Hall, a worthy candidate for the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP. It would have been fitting for Hall to be the one working his magic to lead the Devils back from a 1-0 first-period deficit. Instead, two of the Devils' young bloods -- Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood -- broke through Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen, as Hall's personal nine-game point streak was snapped.
According to Devils coach John Hynes, that seemed more apropos.
"It's been a big part of our season is guys stepping up," Hynes said. "It could be depth in goal. It could be depth scoring. It could be guys in and out of our lineup. I think if you look at how many guys contributed to our success this year, it's quite a bit. It's important as you continue to move forward that you do have guys contribute. They have to contribute competitively, and they have to be able to contribute on the scoreboard."
The depth-in-goal mention was a nod toward Keith Kinkaid, who stepped in for injured (and then ineffective) starter Cory Schneider in January. Kinkaid started the last eight games, going 7-0-1 with a 2.25 goals-against average and .931 save percentage. In the pressure cooker.
"Keith's been a huge part of why we were able to make the playoffs," Hynes said. "In the NHL, you are always going to have injuries. Every year, you think you start with a roster on paper and you need to have players be able to step up. I think Keith really signifies what our team has been about. He's worked hard for it."
This team has written a remarkable story, and the final chapter(s) await. They're the only playoff team in the area, with the Rangers, Islanders, Knicks and Nets running out the clock on their seasons.
The Devils should be the ones who are appreciated, for a change.
For a FAN's perspective of the Nets, Devils and Jets, follow Steve on Twitter @SteveLichtenst1.
