NEWARK -- Devils coach John Hynes remains unabashedly optimistic about the Devils' chances to stay in playoff contention.
It would have been easy for the Devils to see 2016-17 as a lost season when they lost seven games in a row during a four-win December, but that confidence never wavered. After winning three of four and collecting seven points after the All-Star break and before their bye week, the Devils did what Hynes wanted.
"When we came back from the All-Star break, coach (John) Hynes had a very direct meeting with us, that we have a chance," defenseman Ben Lovejoy told NJ Advance Media.