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There were muffled cheers and groans seeping out of the players' lounge as the Devils watched the Capitals-Bruins shootout in the moments after their 6-4 rout of the Lightning.

And while the Devils delivered a decisive come-from-behind win against the Bolts, the mood was dampened just a little when Brooks Laich sealed the victory for the Capitals and prevented New Jersey from clinching a playoff spot in Washington’s 3-2 shootout win against Boston.

The Devils remain in good shape, however. They need to secure only one point in the next four games to clinch a postseason bid. And they feel confident that will happen.

“I haven’t made any summer plans,” joked goaltender Martin Brodeur.

The Devils did all they could to ensure play past April 7, erasing three one-goal leads in a four-goal second period to snuff out Ryan Malone's fourth career hat trick and spark the offense.

Dainius Zubrus converted on a 2-on-1 rush for the Devils’ league-leading 15th short-handed goal, and the team wrested momentum from there with a well-balanced attack.

Jacob Josefson, Ilya Kovalchuk and defenseman Marek Zidlicky also tallied in the second while Alexei Ponikarovsky and David Clarkson added another pair in the third to chase Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson from the net.

It was a much-needed boost for a goal-starved squad that had managed to score only 13 in the previous eight contests.

“I feel we have a team that can score, so I’m hoping this leads to some consistent goals,” coach Pete DeBoer said.

DeBoer kept the Devils’ line of Petr Sykora, Patrik Elias and Zubrus intact but shifted personnel elsewhere, reuniting Travis Zajac with Zach Parise and Kovalchuk, while dropping rookie center Adam Henrique between Ponikarovsky and Clarkson. The move paid dividends as the Devils recorded their third six-goal game of the season and first since Feb. 4.

“It definitely as nice to get a little explosion on offense there. It’s been a while since we’ve put up six,” Parise said. “It felt good. I think we did a good job on the forecheck, made a lot of turnovers and we finished. We capitalized tonight.”

That wasn’t enough to clinch a playoff spot, but the Devils feel they can take care of that on their own.

“You don’t want to rely on any other team to have to lose for you to make it in,” he said. “We’ll just worry about ourselves and make sure we’re going in the right direction after tonight.”

What it means: They didn't clinch a playoff berth, but the Devils rallied from three one-goal deficits to rout the Bolts 6-4 on Thursday in a high-octane offensive showing. Six different players found the back of the net as the Devils chased ex-Islander Dwayne Roloson from the crease and recorded their second straight win at the Prudential Center. Washington's win over Boston prevented New Jersey from securing their postseason spot, but the Devils need only one point to clinch with four games remaining.

Comeback kids: The Devils erased three leads in a four-goal second period to take a 4-3 advantage into the third. Dainius Zubrus, Jacob Josefson, Ilya Kovalchuk and defenseman Marek Zidlicky all scored in the middle frame for New Jersey while Alexei Ponikarovsky and David Clarkson added another pair in the third to finish off Roloson and the Bolts.

Hats off: The last time Tampa and New Jersey played, Marty St. Louis scored a hat trick; this time it was Ryan Malone for the Lightning. Malone tallied the game’s first goal with less than 44 seconds left in the first period, chipping in Victor Hedman's deflected shot at 19:16, before notching another pair in the second period. It was Malone’s fourth career hat trick and first in more than five years. His last three-goal game was Dec. 15, 2006.

Super short-handed: With the Devils trailing 1-0 in the second, Zubrus converted a 2-on-1 rush for the team’s league-leading 15th short-handed goal of the season. It was a good night for special teams play, as the Devils tallied on the power play as well. Zidlicky gave New Jersey a 4-3 lead with his slapshot from the right point at 14:37.

Who’s in net?: Roloson looked like he was getting the hook after surrendering his fourth goal of the night -- backup Sebastian Caron came off the bench, presumably to replace him -- but he returned to the crease moments later. Perhaps Bolts coach Guy Boucher wishes he had been more decisive? Roloson gave up two more goals in the third before being yanked for Caron.

Up Next: Devils at Hurricanes, Saturday at 7 p.m.

At a glance: With a chance to clinch a playoff spot, the Devils host the 11th-place Lightning with only five games left to play in the regular season. All New Jersey needs to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs is at least one point and a regulation loss from the Washington Capitals. The Devils are also in with a win, even if the Caps secure a point in a beyond-regulation loss to Boston tonight. Goaltender Martin Brodeur will make his fourth consecutive start.

Reunited: The Devils finally have forward Travis Zajac back where they wanted him all along. The 26-year-old center, in his third game back from an Achilles injury, will center a top line with captain Zach Parise and sniper Ilya Kovalchuk. Zajac scored the shootout game-winner in the team's 2-1 win against Chicago on Tuesday.

Back on blue line: Defenseman Anton Volchenkov returns after missing two games with a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old blue-liner declined to characterize the injury -- or divulge the cause -- but said he’s "ready to go" against the Lightning tonight.

Stammer time: For the fourth and final time this season, the Devils will face the league's leading goal-scorer, Steven Stamkos. The former first overall pick is out in front of the pack with a staggering 55 goals, a number that caused Devils coach Pete DeBoer to call him "maybe the best scorer in 20-25 years." The 21-year-old has nine goals and seven assists in 15 career games against the Devils.

Second scratch: Rookie defenseman Adam Larsson will sit out for the second straight game. The 19-year-old, who has struggled since returning from a back injury last month, was made a healthy scratch Tuesday and will have to wait at least one more game until he returns. Recently recalled Peter Harrold impressed DeBoer with his play Tuesday and earned himself at least another game against the Bolts.

Captain's back: Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier will play in his first game in more than a month. The 31-year-old forward has been sidelined since mid-February with a broken hand but is expected to return against the Devils.

Travis Zajac is back where the Devils envisioned him before an off-season injury derailed almost his entire 2011-12 campaign.

The 26-year-old forward, who scored the game-winning shootout goal against Chicago Tuesday, will center captain Zach Parise and star sniper Ilya Kovalchuk Thursday against the Bolts. With Zajac's promotion, Devils coach Pete DeBoer will keep Patrik Elias' line intact and drop rookie center Adam Henrique down between Alexei Ponikarovsky and David Clarkson on the third line.

"We're looking for combinations that can work, that I can trust," DeBoer said. 'I think it's natural that [with ] Travis' history playing with both [Kovalchuk] and [Parise] that we would get to this point once he got back."

It does not appear that Zajac is quite ready to handle the minutes of this two cohorts, however. DeBoer said he'll have to manage his ice time and limit his special teams play. In ten games since returning from an August Achilles injury (eight since his season debut in December and two in his second return), Zajac has averaged 16:49.

"He's a good fit for those guys. The minutes are going to be something I'll have to monitor," DeBoer said. "I think we can do both and still manage his minutes until he gets back to 100%."

Defenseman Anton Volchenkov returns to the lineup Thursday after missing two games with a lower-body injury, while rookie Adam Larsson will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game.

Volchenkov, who declined to elaborate on the cause or nature of the injury, said it was only a minor issue and that he's eager to return with five games left remaining before the playoffs begin.

"I'm ready to go. It's not major, just a small injury, but now it feels better."

Larsson, who was scratched Tuesday against the Blackhawks, will watch from upstairs once again as the Devils host the Bolts. The young blue-liner has struggled since returning from a lower back bruise last month.

"We had one of our assistant coaches sit with him during the Chicago game and watch the play with him, point out things that we felt would help him, maybe when he got back in [to] get back in a little quicker and help him be more successful," DeBoer said.

But the Devils coach made it clear he's not holding Larsson's hand throughout the process or coddling the rookie in any way.

"There's lots of communication there but it's not a daily conversation for me. This time of year, we've got a lot of bigger things on our plate.," DeBoer said. "Adam Larsson's a big part of our team moving forward, but he's not the focal point. The focal point is our team and how we're playing."

Pete DeBoer usually deflects credit to assistant coach Adam Oates for selecting the hot hand in the shootout -- the Devils boast an impressive 12-4 record in the skills competition -- but he had no problem taking credit after Tuesday's 2-1 win against the Blackhawks.

The first-year Devils coach said it was a "gut feeling" that prompted him to use Travis Zajac in the fifth round. It was only Zajac's second game back from injury and he knew Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford might be caught unprepared.

"I knew they wouldn't have any film on him," DeBoer joked.

The gamble paid off as Zajac picked the top right corner to edge the Blackhawks to nab a vital two points and help preserve a stellar 37-save effort from goaltender Martin Brodeur. It was an important moment for the top-line center, who has missed virtually the entire season battling a lingering Achilles injury sustained in August.

"It's nice to contribute in any way possible," Zajac said. "I'm just working on trying to get better every game and feeling better and preparing for playoffs. These guys have been working hard all year and playing well and I'm just trying to keep up with them."

Zajac said he "figured he'd get a shot in the shootout if it went long enough." When his shot came, he went in with a plan and didn't deviate.

"I kind of had my mind made up before I went," he said. "I think I used that last year and I scored, so I'll just stick with it until it doesn't work again."

Zajac admitted he still needs to improve until he returns to peak form -- he made his season debut in December after missing four months, but was sidelined again after re-aggravating the injury shortly afterwards -- but can see himself making progress.

"It's getting there. It's still a little frustrating," he said. "There are still some parts of the game I don't feel 100% on but it's gonna come."

The Devils still need three points to secure an Eastern Conference playoff berth -- a feat that now seems more a matter of “when” than “if,” -- but once they get in?

They’ll need veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur to play like he did Tuesday.

Brodeur’s pristine 37-save effort was preserved by Travis Zajac’s shootout game-winner as the Devils topped the Blackhawks 2-1 in Newark. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer was, by far, the Devils’ best player on the ice.

He was stingy in the first period, when the Devils dominated play and took a 1-0 lead on Petr Sykora’s power-play goal, and even more staunch when the Devils faltered in the last forty minutes, managing only 8 shots in regulation on Chicago’s Corey Crawford in the second and third periods combined.

“He was light’s out,” said Zajac, who went top-shelf, glove-side on Crawford in the fifth round of the shootout. “He’s one of the reasons it stayed 1-1. A lot of credit to him. He knows how to win these big games.”

After giving up only one goal in regulation – defenseman Brent Seabrook scored in the third on a shot through traffic he couldn’t see – Brodeur surrendered only one in the skills competition before Zajac sealed the Devils’ 12th shootout win of the season.

It was a much-needed victory for the Devils, who entered Tuesday’s match having dropped four of their last five, but perhaps more so for Brodeur.

Winless in his last four starts, Brodeur rebounded from Sunday's tough loss to Sidney Crosby and the high-octane Pittsburgh Penguins to record his 27th win of the season.

Following a costly giveaway to Penguins Hart Trophy front-runner Evgeni Malkin Sunday, Brodeur wasn’t happy with what he called “iffy” puck-handling against the Blackhawks – he made a quick save after turning the puck over to Marcus Kruger in the third – but otherwise he felt sharp.

“I felt right on top of my game,” he said. “I was controlling my rebounds, seeing the puck really well, besides that [Seabrook goal], so everything was good.

The Devils will need better than good from Brodeur to advance in the post-season. Currently in sixth place, they may draw what is considered to be the most favorable first-round match-up (against 3rd-place Florida), but they remain a team trying to strike a happy medium between offensive potency and sound defensive play .

And with the Devils tinkering with lines, trying to yield the most of their top-six forwards while maintaining some balance, they will need Brodeur to be stout on the back end.

Coach Pete DeBoer did not rule out the possibility of starting backup Johan Hedberg again before the playoffs begin, but getting Brodeur into a groove is paramount.

Tuesday might have been a good first step.

“He was the difference-maker,” DeBoer said. “It’s no secret you need great goaltending in this time of year and in the playoffs.”

What it means: Veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur's stellar 37-save effort did not go to waste. Newly-returned Travis Zajac scored the game-winner as the Devils beat the Hawks 2-1 in a five-round shootout. After a strong first period, the Devils managed only eight shots combined in the last forty minutes of regulation, but came though in the skills competition for their 12th shootout win of the season. Brodeur snapped a four-game winless streak in helping his squad lock down a vital two points in the team's quest to secure a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Shutout spoiled: Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook spoiled Brodeur's shutout bid, tying the game with a shot through traffic at 8:34 of the third. Seabrook remains the Blackhawks' top defenseman with Duncan Keith out while serving the second of a five-game ban for his concussion-causing hit on Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin.

Looking for lines: With only a handful of game remaining before the playoffs begin, Devils coach Pete DeBoer is opting for more balance among his top six forwards. With center Travis Zajac back from an Achilles injury, rookie pivot Adam Henrique moved to the left wing on the top line along with Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk while Patrik Elias centered a line with captain Zach Parise and Dainius Zubrus.

Big kill: With the Devils clinging to a 1-0 lead in the second period, the team’s top-ranked penalty kill delivered on a crucial 67-second 5-on-3 situation for the Blackhawks. New Jersey has surrendered only 26 power-play goals this season on 249 attempts.

Sound investment: Despite being dropped to the fourth line to start Tuesday’s game, Petr Sykora continued to prorduce. The 35-year-old veteran, who made the team as a training camp tryout, tallied his 18th goal of the season. Sykora, who is making a modest $650,000 this season, deflected Henrique’s pass at 15:42 for a power-play goal and 1-0 Devils lead.

Larsson scratched: Rookie defenseman Adam Larsson watched Tuesday’s match from Lou Lamoriello’s box Tuesday night. The 19-year-old Swede was scratched by DeBoer because of his inconsistent play since returning from a lower back bruise last month. Larsson admitted he needs to step up his game with the playoffs approaching, particularly with the team’s hobbled defensive corps. Henrik Tallinder’s season remains in jeopardy because of a leg condition, while Anton Volchenkov missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury.

Up Next: Devils vs. Lightning, Thursday at 7 p.m.

At a glance: The Devils have dropped four of their last five games and suddenly the gap both above and below them (6th place) in the Eastern Conference standings is not so large. New Jersey faces a fellow 6-seed in Chicago Tuesday, with the Blackhawks aiming for a bounce-back game of their own. Without captain Jonathan Toews and top defenseman Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks were man-handled 6-1 by the Predators Sunday.

Larsson sits: Rookie defenseman Adam Larsson will miss Tuesday’s game as a healthy scratch. The 19-year-old has struggled of late – he is a minus-two in his last four games – and played inconsistently since returning from a lower back bruise suffered last month. Larsson said he wasn’t sure if this will be a one-game trip to the press box, but coach Pete DeBoer expects the young Swede to respond well: “He’s a confident kid…I know he’ll bounce back.”

Missing parts: Out with a concussion, Toews will miss his 17th straight game. And if that wasn’t enough, the Blackhawks will also be missing Keith from their back-end as he serves the second of a five-game ban for his concussion-causing hit on Daniel Sedin.

Volchenkov out: The Devils will be without defenseman Anton Volchenkov, who is out for the second straight game with a lower-body injury. The hard-hitting 30-year-old did not skate Tuesday, but is still considered “day-to-day.”

Brodeur vs. Crawford: Winless in his last four starts, 39-year-old Martin Brodeur will square off against Chicago’s Corey Crawford in goal. Brodeur has surrendered three or more goals during that span and a total of 16 combined, while Crawford has recorded wins in five of his last six games.

Harrold recalled: With Larsson scratched and Volchenkov out, the Devils summoned 28-year-old defenseman Peter Harrold from Albany of the American Hockey League. Harrold has five goals and 21 assists in 61 games for Albany, and despite the minor-league teams’ recent struggles, still has a plus-two rating. Said DeBoer: “He can skate and move to the puck…It’s nice to have that depth.”

Struggling during the home stretch of a grueling rookie season, Devils defenseman Adam Larsson will sit out as a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks.

The 19-year-old Swede has battled bouts of inconsistency since returning from a back bruise last month -- an injury he admittedly came back from "too soon" -- and knows he needs to improve with the playoffs less than two weeks away.

"I know I haven't played my best game recently. It's tough, but I think it's a smart decision by the coach," Larsson said after the team's optional morning skate. "I don't know how long I'll be out, but hopefully I'll be back soon."

Larsson, a minus-2 in the last four games, missed over three weeks in the beginning of February following a hard hit from Montreal's P.K. Subban. The Devils' fourth overall pick said he's played "too up and down" since coming back and has been told he needs to play more "physical."

"Since he's come back from injury, he's had a few bumps in the road, [he's] been struggling with some consistency -- we've talked to him about that," coach Pete DeBoer said. "We're getting to the point here where we think it could benefit him to sit and watch for a night."

DeBoer said he took the decision well and Larsson said that his confidence will remain unshaken.

"I know how good I am and how good I can play." he said. "[I have to ] just stay positive."

Recently recalled Peter Harrold will play tonight; DeBoer said he hopes the 28-year-old defenseman can add something to the Devils' back end, which is currently without Henrik Tallinder (leg) and Anton Volchenkov (lower body).

"He can skate and move the puck," DeBoer said. "It's nice to have that depth."

Volchenkov, who missed Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, did not skate Tuesday morning. He is still considered "day-today."

Losers in four of their last five games, the Devils hope to rebound against the Blackhawks Tuesday with Chicago looking for a bounce-back game as well.

Although 9-2-1 over their last 12 games, the Blackhawks suffered a 6-1 drubbing by Nashville Sunday night.

They will be without captain Jonathan Toews (concussion) for the 17th straight game and top defenseman Duncan Keith, who will serve the second of a five-game ban for his concussion-causing hit on Vancouver's Daniel Sedin.

Both teams currently sit in sixth place in their respective conferences, arguably the best position for a favorable first-round match-up.

Martin Brodeur will face Chicago's Corey Crawford in goal Tuesday night.

Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov (lower body) did not participate in the team's optional morning skate; New Jersey recalled Peter Harrold from Albany (AHL) Monday.

The Devils have recalled defenseman Peter Harrold from Albany of the American Hockey League, presumably to replace an injured Anton Volchenkov. Volchenkov missed Sunday's game in Pittsburgh because of a lower-body injury.

Each NHL team is permitted four recalls after the trade deadline until their AHL affiliate is eliminated from play, NOT including those players called up on an emergency basis.

Harrold, 28, has five goals and 21 assists and a plus-2 rating in 61 games for Albany; he has no points and a minus-1 rating in five games with the Devils this season.

Following Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins, the Devils host the Blackhawks Tuesday.

• • •

The Devils are expected to sign C David Wohlberg, a sixth-round pick in the 2008 draft, to an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO).

Wohlberg, who just finished his senior season at University of Michigan, recorded 16 goals and 17 assists in 41 games for the Wolverines. The 21-year-old South Lyon, MI native will report the Albany Devils of the AHL.

Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 400th career goal and Johan Hedberg recorded his fourth shutout of the season as the Devils beat the Senators in Ottawa 1-0 Tuesday.

Snapping a scoreless draw, Kovalchuk one-timed a no-look pass from defenseman Marek Zidlicky to give the Devils a power-play goal and 1-0 lead at 17:20 of the second. The 28-year-old sniper became the third fastest player to reach the 400-goal milestone. Only Teemu Selanne and Jaromir Jagr reached the mark in fewer games.

Meanwhile, Hedberg continues to prove he is one of, if not the best, backups in the league with a staunch 34-save effort to help the Devils secure a vital two points in the Eastern Conference standings. New Jersey, currently in the 6th spot, pulled within three points of 5th-place Philadelphia, although the Flyers have one game in hand.

The battle between Rangers coach John Tortorella and Devils coach Pete DeBoer continued Tuesday as Tortorella fired back at DeBoer for his post-game comments following the Rangers' 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden, Monday night.

His message to DeBoer, who called him a "hypocrite" the night before?

"Just shut up."

Read the full story here.

The Rangers and Devils met for a memorable series finale Monday--a 4-2 Rangers win that featured a line brawl off the opening faceoff and a war of words between the two coaches.

How did that nasty affair compare with the other five meetings of the two teams this season?

Let's take a look:

December 20 - Rangers 4, Devils 1 at New Jersey
Total fighting majors: 4
Mike Rupp vs. Cam Janssen (Period 1, 0:03)
Brandon Dubinsky vs. David Clarkson (Period 2, 1:47)

January 31 -- Devils 5, Rangers 3 (SO) at New Jersey
Total fighting majors: 0

February 7 -- Devils 1, Rangers 0 at New York
Total fighting majors: 4
Brandon Prust vs. Eric Boulton (Period 1, 0:02)
Mike Rupp vs. Cam Janssen (Period 1, 0:02)

February 27 -- Rangers 2, Devils 0 at New York
Total fighting majors: 4
Brandon Prust vs. Eric Boulton ( Period 2, 16:52)
Brandon Dubinsky vs. David Clarkson (Period 2, 19:27)

March 6 -- Devils 4, Rangers 1 at New Jersey
Total fighting majors: 4
Brandon Dubinsky vs. Ryan Carter (Period 1, 3:03)
John Scott vs. Cam Janssen (Period 1, 12:32)

Mar 19 -- Rangers 4, Devils 2 at New York
Total fighting majors: 6
Stu Bickel vs. Ryan Carter (Period 1, 0:03)
Mike Rupp vs. Eric Boulton (Period 1, 0:03)
Brandon Prust vs. Cam Janssen (Period 1, 0:03)