13. april 2009 / PATRIK ELIAS AND THE DEVILS HEAD TO THE PLAYOFFS

A 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon at the Prudential Center was a fitting playoff preview as the Devils head to the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals on Wednesday, April 15th. The team’s 51st victory added a cushion to their third place seed and Carolina’s loss landed them in sixth, setting up a first round match in the 2009 NHL playoffs that will surely be a nail biter if Saturday’s contest is any indication.

Patrik Elias played his second consecutive game Saturday after sitting out four with a lower body injury and appears to be getting back to top form. With over 15 minutes of ice time on the day, the star winger registered three shots and was on the ice for 2 out of 3 Devil goals.

Since the 1996-97 season, Patrik and the Devils have not missed the playoffs. Patrik has tallied 110 points (39g, 71a) in 126 career postseason games, has maintained a +22 rating and has put 6 game winners into the net. His 23 points in 25 games during the 2001 playoffs remains his career high.

Patrik has 34 points in 37 career games vs. Carolina. (Dan Altano)