The Devils Win One And Get Back Into The Playoff Picture, Then Lose 2 And Fall Out Of Playoff Spot

Trying desperately to get back into the playoff mix the Albany Devils could breath a sigh of relief for 1 day before dropping back out of the top 8 mix the next day. Here is a recap of the Devils 3 games in 3 days weekend.

Friday Albany picked up points for the 8th time in 9 games by defeating the Rochester Americans 3-2 on the road. Keith Kinkaid was back in nets to lead Albany to victory. The win put the Devils back into the top 8 in the eastern conference. The top 8 make the post season. Mike Sislo, Joe Whitney, and  Darcy Zajak provided the scoring for the Devils.

Saturday the Devils went off to Syracuse trying to pad their playoff credentials. However they got hammered by the Crunch 6-2. Scott Wedgewood returned to the nest for Albany but was yanked after 2 periods. It was his 1st loss in the AHL. Keith Kinkaid finished up the 3rd period. Albany's goals were scored by Dan Kelly and Joe Whitney.

Finally the rubber game of the 3 game weekend set and  a visit to Binghamton and a match with the Sound Tigers. Sadly this time the Devils were shut out by DiPietro and the Sound Tigers 2-0. A scoreless battle through 2+ periods came to a crashing fail when Binghamton scored twice in the final 10 minutes to win the game. Brock Nelson broke the scoreless tie at 10:35 of the 3rd period beating Keith Kinkaid. Neno Niederreiter added the insurance goal with just under 2 minutes left to send the Devils to their 2nd straight defeat. Kinkaid stopped 41 shots in the loss. The former top NHL pick of the Islanders, DiPietro stoned 33 shots for the shutout.

The Devils, fighting for the playoffs have played 3 of their current 6 game road trip and continue the trip back in Binghamton on Friday night at 7:05.

Right now the Devils are 9th in the eastern conference with 65 points. They trail Connecticut and Hershey by 3 points apiece as those teams are tied for 8th and 7th place. However the Devils have only played 60 games. Connecticut has played 63 games and hershey 62 so the Devils do have games in hand on both. Manchester is tied with Albany with the same 65 points. Worcester and Norfolk both trail the Devils by 2 points as they place 10th and 11th in order.