Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 24th goal of the season and also added a helper in the New Jersey Devils shootout victory over the New York Islanders. The win marks the Devils’ 17th win in their last 20 games played, as the surging team has brought itself from last place in the NHL to 8 points within an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Kovalchuk has produced 12 points in the Devils’ last 10 games, as the Russian winger continues to be red-hot in his team’s push for the playoffs. Kovalchuk and the Devils take on the struggling Ottawa Senators Tuesday night as they look to put more pressure on the Eastern Conference race towards the last stretch of the season.