Devils Edge Coyotes in Shootout

The New Jersey Devils put a damper on the Arizona Coyotes' playoff hopes on Saturday afternoon at the Prudential Center.

Drew Stafford (North Dakota) scored the Devils' only goal in regulation, assisted by Miles Wood (Boston College), and Blake Coleman (Miami) added a shootout goal as New Jersey outlasted Arizona, 2-1, in a shootout in Newark, N.J.

The Coyotes (36-32-7) dropped one point out of the second wild-card spot in the NHL's Western Conference with the loss, their fourth straight setback. The Devils (28-39-9) have already been eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff consideration.

UND's Stafford Signs with Devils

Veteran NHL right wing Drew Stafford (North Dakota) signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils on Friday, according to NHL.com. The deal was reportedly for $800,000.

Stafford, 31, skated for both the Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins last season, notching eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in 58 games. In 725 career NHL regular-season contests, including nine campaigns with the Buffalo Sabres, he has tallied 183-217—400 points.

A Milwaukee native who grew up in Minnesota, the 6-foot-2 Stafford was a first-round NHL selection (13th overall) of Buffalo in 2004. He played three collegiate seasons at UND from 2003 to 2006, where he tallied 48-67—115 points in 118 outings. He also helped the Fighting Sioux to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including two straight Frozen Four berths.