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Devils coach DeBoer: We deserved better

Los Angeles Kings v New Jersey Devils - Game One

NEWARK, NJ - MAY 30: Peter DeBoer of the New Jersey Devils looks up at the scoreboard from the bench against the Los Angeles Kings during Game One of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Prudential Center on May 30, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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Pete DeBoer probably has to take a few deep breaths when he sees teams like Toronto and Columbus consistently getting outshot, yet still winning games.

The Devils’ head coach -- whose team is surrendering an NHL-low 23.3 shots per game -- has suffered through pretty much the opposite.

“It’s difficult. This is one of the most difficult things I’ve gone through,” DeBoer said today, per the Star-Ledger, “just because I’ve coached teams that didn’t deserve to make the playoffs. Most times life gives you what you deserve. In this case I don’t feel it’s necessarily the case. That’s what makes it more difficult, because then you’re searching for the reasons why and I don’t have the answers yet.”

The Devils’ average shot differential (+5.3) is right up there with Los Angeles (+5.5) and Chicago (+5.2).

Except New Jersey has been eliminated from the playoffs.

Goaltending has been an issue for the Devils, with Martin Brodeur and Johan Hedberg combining for a .891 save percentage, the third-lowest in the NHL.

Both Brodeur, 40, and Hedberg, 39, are signed through next season.