Hall playing like he wants taste of playoffs

On Thursday night, the “MVP” chants reverberated at Prudential Center.

This was in response to Taylor Hall extending his 13-game point streak (longest in the NHL this season) in 20 consecutive appearances by scoring a first period power-play goal in the Devils’ 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. It was his 26th goal of the season.

It was the type of moment Hall and Devils general manager Ray Shero envisioned when the Devils acquired him from the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Adam Larsson couple of years ago.

Not only the Devils sharpshooter is on pace for 36 goals this season, but he knows he could be playing in the playoffs for the first time in his career this season. It’s something he has been yearning for since he was drafted by the Oilers as the No. 1 pick in 2010.

Hall never thought he would have waited eight years to make the playoffs. He knew he would go through some lean years with the rebuilding Oilers, but it never happened as they kept amassing talent through the draft. Then, he was traded by the then-Oilers new management in an attempt to create a balance with the offensive-oriented team by adding several defensemen.

What had to be galling to him was the Oilers made the playoffs last year for the first time in 10 seasons as they advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs while he missed the playoffs in his second season with the Devils.

He heard the criticism about the Oilers being better off without him. Word goes around in the DSL speed of the internet. How could it not hurt? The perception was he was not a winning player, and that’s the ultimate insult of a player.

So it’s no wonder he wants to make the playoffs in the worst way this year. No player shouldn’t wait this long to make a playoff appearance. The 26-year-old is in the prime years of his career, so he does not want to waste any more of it by continuing to be a bystander than a participant in the playoffs. Careers end quickly before he knows it. He is playing like it with the way he has played lately.

The Devils have been hanging in there all season as they try to make the playoffs for the first time in five years. They need someone to lead the way, and now Hall is doing just that to the point he is now a Hart Trophy candidate. It’s what he was acquired for as the centerpiece of Shero’s rebuilding project.

Hall is in a good place. This season has been rewarding. Now, he wants to finish the job.

He is this close to getting to the playoffs. There’s no guarantee he may not get this opportunity again. Forgive him for feeling that way. Waiting a long time to make the playoffs can make anyone anxious. He will not be satisfied until he sees in the standings that the Devils clinched a playoff berth.

His teammates would love to see the Devils make the playoffs for him. They know what he brings to the locker room and on the ice. They know how hard he works and how he leads by example with his play and professionalism.

Devils coach John Hynes appreciates what Hall has done to broaden his game. He has made his teammates better on offense and defense. He has done a better job of positioning in the defensive zone, and he has been active in blocking shots. He has learned to be a leader and being accountable. By being resourceful and using his head as much as his physical gifts, he has become a complete player for the first time in his career.

Maybe being a two-way player has him finally figuring the game out for good. It’s not a coincidence the Devils have taken off this year with him playing well. It’s also not a coincidence that he has so much left in the tank.

It remains to be seen if he can top his career-best 80 points from the 2013-2014 season as he has 64 points this season, but that’s the least of his priorities. He has his eye on the prize that’s more important right now. Tallying up points will be the byproduct of making the playoffs.

Maybe something good will finally happen to Hall this year. He has earned it for what he has done this year to refine his game and leading the Devils by example. He has become a better player for it.

Making the playoffs this year would be the rewarding part of his career after what he has gone through as a player.