"The Devils have climbed to respectability. Now a six-game homestand can be their ticket to the ranks of the contenders.

"We have to take advantage of home ice, but more importantly, we have to play the right way," said Patrik Elias, who led the Devils with 41 points before they played host to the Jets last night at the Prudential Center.

Elias was to receive his NHL Milestone award last night for playing his 1,000th game, all with New Jersey. He reached that milestone on Jan. 6.

Elias said he'd prefer the Devils avoid playing differently at home, where they stood 11-7-1, than they do on the road (14-10-1)."