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The Devils haven't scored a power play goal in four games since rookie defenseman Eric Gelinas and his booming shot from the point were sent to the minors. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Even though the Olympics won't be over until next week, the Devils players who aren't still vying for gold will be back to practice Wednesday afternoon in Newark, preparing for what they hope will be a postseason run.

Team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello will play a big role in how the season plays out based on what he does before the NHL's March 5 trade deadline.

If Lamoriello is a buyer, the Devils' chances dramatically improve.

If he's a seller, the Devils likely will miss the playoffs for the second year in a row.

And if he stands pat, the odds are against the Devils, but they'd still have a shot to sneak in.



Here's the Devils' current situation: They have 23 games remaining and are three points behind Detroit for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. But they're bunched with six teams that have 60 to 63 points and are vying for the spot. Meantime, the Devils' other door to the playoffs has it trailing Philadelphia by five points for the third and final Metropolitan Division berth.

Here are 5 things the Devils can do to get in:

1. BRING BACK GELINAS

The Devils' power play was hot and ranked among the best in the league when rookie point man Eric Gelinas was sent back to the AHL a week before the Olympic break to work on his game. The move hasn't worked out: The Devils went 1-2-1 in their last four games and their power play was 0 for 12, dropping from eighth in the league rankings to 12th.

In Gelinas' last six games, the power play scored eight times in 20 chances. Enough said, right? Yes, Gelinas makes mistakes pinching at times. No, the bad doesn't outweigh the good. Get the 6-foot-4, 22-year-old and his cannon shot back from the minors and in the lineup.

2. SALVADOR FOR BRIERE

Knowing the Devils' track record, it seems doubtful management will go for broke dealing for rentals who can help win now, or hold a fire sale, so here's a deal that can help improve both sides this season and beyond: Defenseman Bryce Salvador to Montreal for center Danny Briere. He probably would welcome a move to New Jersey to be close to his children, who are living in South Jersey. Not excited? This doesn't win you a Cup, but it does add a playmaking center, which the Devils desperately need, and subtracts a veteran defenseman that creates a regular spot for Gelinas.

The Habs would probably bite on this, too, as they're rumored to be looking for an experienced defenseman. The money would work out, too, although the Devils would have to take on a little more with Briere in the first season of a two-year, $8-million deal that carries a $4M cap hit and Salvador in the second season of a three-year, $9.5M deal that has a $3.166M cap hit.

3. GO WITH KIDS

Status quo isn't working, so let's get some kids up from AHL and in the lineup to add young talent and enthusiasm. Get rookie left wing Reid Boucher back. His 62 goals in juniors last season led to just two in his first 23 NHL games this season, but he had a lot of good chances, so maybe his shots will start going in on his next stint.

And get defenseman Adam Larsson back from the AHL, too, and paired with Gelinas. They played well together for a stretch this season and deserve more time together.

Larsson was the fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft, so how about throwing him in every game and cutting him some slack? If you need to trade defenseman Mark Fayne, unrestricted after the season, for a draft pick to get Larsson in the lineup, so be it. For Boucher, maybe dump one of the fourth-line guys -- Stephen Gionta, Ryan Carter or Steve Bernier -- all of whom also are unrestricted after the season.

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHEDULE

Fourteen of the Devils' final 23 are at home, nine are against teams with as many or fewer points, and 15 are against teams they trail by no more than three points. Also, they're done with the four teams with the most points -- Anaheim, St. Louis, Chicago and Pittsburgh.

No game is easy for a team that struggles to score two goals a game, but this schedule is set up for a run. How good do the Devils need to be to overtake Detroit? The Red Wings, with 64 points in 58 games, are averaging 1.1 points per game and on pace for 90.

For the Devils to get to 91, they'd need 30 more points. That means they'd need to go 15-8-0 or 14-6-3 or some other combination that adds up to 30. That would be asking a lot, but this schedule makes it a task that's not impossible.

5. WIN THE 4-POINT GAMES

If the Devils are going to get in, they need to pass the Flyers or Rangers to finish third in the division, or end up on top in that group of six teams they're lumped into in the wild card chase. Neither is an easy path, but to keep both as viable options, the Devils really need a bunch of regulation wins when they play nine games against the other wild card or division contenders.

These must wins start with the Devils’ first game back from the Olympic break: Next Thursday at home against Columbus. After that, they play a home and home against Detroit, plus home games against Carolina, the Rangers and Washington, and road games in Philadelphia, Carolina and Ottawa. Do well in these games and the Devils have a fighting chance at the playoffs.