The Boston Bruins are trying to build some ground to stand on in the crowded  Eastern Conference playoff field but didn’t do themselves any favors on Wednesday night after getting dismantled by the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center by the final score of 5-1.

First, Brandon Carlo fell down with the puck in his own zone and, after getting up, his flip-out was kept in by Jersey. The B’s regained control but Oesterle’s breakout pass went off Charlie Coyle’s skates and the Devils made it count. Eventually, Dawson Mercer evened the game on a turnaround shot from the slot.

Things came apart in a hurry in the middle frame. The Bruins didn’t react well to two calls against them that they didn’t like and the Devils took advantage delivering an early knockout blow. They became the latest struggling team to get right against Boston, beating the Bruins, 5-1, Wednesday at the Prudential Center in Newark.

The Bruins' defense continued to unravel on Wednesday, with Boston falling to the Devils, 5-1, in an uncompetitive matchup.

NEWARK—Even in their wins, the New Jersey Devils are suffering major losses. The Devils honored former Stanley Cup winning head coach Jacques Lemaire before puck drop with the Boston Bruins by admitting him into their Ring of Honor.

Morgan Geekie scored for the Bruins (23-20-6), who are 3-1-1 in their past five games. Jeremy Swayman allowed four goals on 29 shots in two periods. He was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo (five saves on six shots) at the start of the third period.

The Boston Bruins entered Wednesday night's game against the New Jersey Devils having won three of their last four games, helping to erase some of the bad feelings that stemmed from having previously

Goalie Jake Allen came in cold, but he picked up his first win since Nov. 23 at Washington. He stopped all 16 shots he faced. Allen denied David Pastrnak, a 60-goal scorer, minutes after entering the game. He made a split toe save on Oliver Wahlstrom and robbed Charlie Coyle on a breakaway as well during the game.