Perhaps we sound like a broken record, but still not enough has been said about this New Jersey Devils team that refuses to die.

Let's bring more spotlight to one of the most amazing second halves in recent NHL memory.

The Devils are 23-3-2 in the second half, having already picked up 48 points with another 26 points (13 games) left up for grabs.

Of course, a nightmarish first half (10-29-2) is why New Jersey may still miss the playoffs. The Devils are six points behind eighth-place Buffalo in the East with a game in hand on the Sabres.

"As I've said all along, you feel you shouldn't be in this position but when you find yourselves in it, the most important thing is the way the coaching staff and the players have reacted to it," Devils GM Lou Lamoriello told ESPN.com before he boarded a flight back from the GM meetings in Florida.

"They've been able to, without question, just keep focus on what needed to be done day by day. They deserve everything that is going on right now because the way they work at it, both coaching staff and players."

Playoffs or no playoffs, there's buzz about Jacques Lemaire for the Jack Adams. The competition is stiff from the likes of Dave Tippett, Guy Boucher, Peter Laviolette, Alain Vigneault, Dan Bylsma, Bruce Boudreau, etc. But Lemaire's impact after replacing John MacLean just before Christmas has been out of this world.

"There's no question Jacques what [he] has done and whatever accolades he can get, he deserves," said Lamoriello. "The fortunate thing is, he doesn't think in those terms, he doesn't think like that. Nor do we as an organization."

The Devils' quest continues with games Thursday at Ottawa and Friday at home against red-hot Washington. Lamoriello reminds us that nothing yet has been accomplished.

"We really haven't done anything yet," said the veteran GM. "We certainly have put ourselves in a position which is much better than it was. Our focus is just not worrying about anything other than doing the things you have control of. It's been a total commitment of not letting distractions getting in the way. And as I've told you before, our best players have been our best players. That's key."

The name of Ilya Kovalchuk certainly comes to mind. Last summer's signing saga put the Russian star under a microscope perhaps only Carey Price could match in terms of pressure to deliver entering the season. The first half was a total disaster for Kovalchuk, and he got eaten alive by his critics for it. But just like his team, the second half has brought out the best of Kovalchuk. He's been a dynamic force.

"He's an impeccable person, he's a great kid," said Lamoriello, beginning an effusive praise of his high-priced winger. "He's concerned about his teammates, he's liked by his teammates. He's very unselfish, on and off the ice. Good things happen to good people. He's responded to Jacques. He wants to be the best player he can be. He thrives under pressure and he handles himself in every situation that he's been in, in a positive way. And he wants to win. He loves to score but winning is more important to him. I feel very comfortable saying that because I've been around him enough now. I've seen the type of person he is."

Now if another star winger can come back before the end of the season, the Devils will really be a happy camp. Zach Parise has been out since Oct. 30 with a serious knee injury that needed surgery and rehab.

"He's right on course," said Lamoriello. "He's skating as we speak in fact. We'll see where he's at. He's not cleared to practice yet with the team, but he's doing things on his own with the coaching staff. There is no timetable at this point. It'll be when everyone is in agreement that it's the right time."

You just know Parise can't wait to get involved with this magic carpet ride.