2011 - 12 New Jersey Devils season The New Jersey Devils 2011 – 12 season was the 38th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11 , 1974 , and 30th season since the franchise relocated to New Jersey to start the 1982 – 83 NHL season . The Devils hoped to return to the playoffs after having their long playoff streak snapped the previous year . While finishing fourth in the strong Atlantic division , they did rank sixth in the Eastern Conference , thus securing a playoff berth , and first round match - up against the Southeast division - winning Florida Panthers . Offseason . The focus of the Devils during the 2011 offseason was on finding a new coach and player signings . The main focus of the team was resigning Zach Parise and signing 4th - overall 2011 pick Adam Larsson to an entry level contract , although team CEO and general manager Lou Lamoriello did find the time to sign goaltender Johan Hedberg and defenseman Andy Greene as well . Additionally , the team chose to suspend operations of the Trenton Devils , which was a minor league ECHL club that the team had used for player development , citing declining fan interest in the team and a desire to bring the organization more in line with other NHL organizations in terms of minor league affiliations . The Devils announced the hiring of Peter DeBoer as the new head coach of the team on July 19 , 2011 . Pre - season . On June 30 , 2011 , the New Jersey Devils announced that they would play six games during the pre - season . There were three home games at the Prudential Center against the New York Rangers , New York Islanders , and Philadelphia Flyers . They also played two road games , one against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum and one against the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center . One neutral site game against the Rangers took place at the Times Union Center , located in Albany , New York . Playoffs . The Devils clinched their 20th playoff berth in 22 seasons with a 5 - 0 Win over the Carolina Hurricanes on March 31 , 2012 . They finished the regular season with 102 points , finishing 4th in the Atlantic Division and 6th in the Eastern Conference . They beat the Florida Panthers in 7 games , with a game winning goal in double overtime from rookie Adam Henrique . They went on to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games , and beat the New York Rangers in 6 games with another overtime goal from Henrique , winning their first Eastern Conference Championship since their 2003 run . The playoff run for the Devils concluded with a loss to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals , 4 games to 2 . Schedule and results . Playoffs . Win Loss Win Playoff Series Player stats . Skaters . " Note : GP = Games played ; G = Goals ; A = Assists ; Pts = Points ; + / − = Plus / Minus ; PIM = Penalty Minutes " Goaltenders . Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Devils . Stats reflect time with Devils only . Traded mid - season . Stats reflect time with Devils only . Transactions . The Devils have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011 – 12 season . Draft . The New Jersey Devils participated in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft , located at the Xcel Energy Center in St . Paul , Minnesota , on June 24 , 2011 . Devils CEO , president , and general manager Lou Lamoriello , described as being " thrilled " at the chance to draft him , selected 6 – 3 , 197 pounds Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson 4th overall . This was the Devils ' highest pick in the draft since selecting Scott Niedermayer third overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft . Final roster . < br >