After finishing last in the Eastern Conference last season with 28 wins and 70 points, the Devils (44-28-9, 97 points) advanced to the postseason for the 22nd time in their history, but the first since losing to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2012 Cup Final. They assured themselves of a playoff berth by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on Thursday.

The New Jersey Devils will be part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

1. Taylor Hall

Hall, acquired for defenseman Adam Larsson in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers on June 29, 2016, had 18 goals and 20 assists during a personal 26-game point streak from Jan. 2 through March 6 (he missed three games from Jan. 22-25 with a thumb injury). He went on a 19-game point streak (13 goals, 13 assists), the longest in the NHL this season, after returning from the injury, and had a nine-game point streak (eight goals, nine assists) late in the season.

"You're looking at a guy that's tremendously driven and focused, and I think that's why he had the most success was because it came from him," coach John Hynes said.

Hall, in his eighth season, has set NHL career highs in goals (39), assists (54), points (93), power-play points (37) and shooting percentage (14.0) in 76 games.

Video: NYR@NJD: Hall wires home PPG to reach 90 points

2. Rookies step up

The Devils received major contributions from four rookies.

Nico Hischier, chosen No. 1 in the 2017 NHL Draft, ranks among the top 10 rookies in goals (19), assists (32), points (51) and shots on goal (177) in 81 games.

Jesper Bratt, selected in the sixth round (No. 162) in the 2016 NHL Draft, has 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 73 games. Defenseman Will Butcher, signed to a two-year, entry-level contract by the Devils on Aug. 27, ranks first among NHL rookie defensemen in assists (39), points (44), and power-play points (23) in 80 games.

Forward Blake Coleman, a third-round pick (No. 75) in the 2011 NHL Draft, ranks second among all NHL rookies in hits (215), is first among Devils forwards in blocked shots (57), second in takeaways (67) and is tied for first with Brian Gibbons in shorthanded goals (three). He has 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 78 games. The Devils lead the League with 12 shorthanded goals.

3. Goalies

Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid each had a big role at different points during the season.

Schneider went 9-2-1 with a 2.08 goals-against average and .931 save percentage during a 12-game stretch from Nov. 24 through Dec. 27.

When Schneider was injured and then struggled to regain his form after a 16-game absence because of a groin/hip injury, Kinkaid went 16-3-1 with a 2.28 GAA and .929 save percentage in a 21-game stretch (Feb. 13-April 5). He is 7-0-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .931 save percentage in his past eight starts. Kinkaid (26-10-3) is the first Devils backup goalie to have at least 20 wins since Scott Clemmensen went 25-13-1 in 2008-09.

Video: TOR@NJD: Kinkaid gloves away Brown's wrister in close

4. Offensive balance

The Devils have 10 players who've scored at least 10 goals. It's the first time that's happened since 2009-10.

Hall, Kyle Palmieri (24), Stefan Noesen (13), Brian Boyle (13) and Gibbons (12) were all acquired by general manager Ray Shero via trade or signed as free agents. Shero also made the call when Hischier and Bratt were selected at the NHL Draft. Miles Wood (18), Travis Zajac (12) and Coleman also made offensive contributions.

The Devils rank 15th in the League with 2.96 goals per game after finishing 28th last season with 2.20.

5. Road warriors

The Devils are 21-14-5 away from Prudential Center. The last time they had as many as 20 road wins was 2011-12 (24-15-2), when they reached the Final. New Jersey was 12-23-6 on the road last season.

"If you win on the road, you have good players because you can't get all the matchups you want, and guys must be able to play through certain situations," Hynes said. "It's not like you're doing anything differently as a coach or player (on the road), it's just the fact your players can probably do a better job than maybe some other teams of pushing through matchup or adverse situations."