Winning streaks during the NHL season are nice. They spice things up. They give us something to talk about as the league methodically spins toward the real season -- the playoffs.

Right now, the defending champion Devils have the hot hand. Their 13-game winning streak was an accomplishment, no doubt. And, certainly, something to be proud of. But come April 11, when the playoffs begin, the streak will mean nothing. Zero. Zip.

Just look at the '92-'93 Penguins, holders of the all-time record 17-game streak. They had won back-to-back Cups and looked unbeatable. Then, somehow, the Islanders stunned them in Game 7 OT. No, not the Bossy-Trottier-Potvin Islanders. Rather, the Glenn Healy-David Volek-Pat Flatley Isles.

In 1985, the Flyers went off on a 13-game winning streak. And they had a good playoff run under rookie head coach Mike Keenan. Did they win the Cup? No. Does anyone care about that streak? No.

Way back in 1930, the Bruins established a league mark for consecutive wins, clicking off 13 in a row. That Bruins team finished the 44-game regular season with a 38-5-1 record. Their .875 regular season winning percentage still stands as an NHL record. Come playoff time, though, the B's were bumped by the Canadiens, who took home the trophy.

The Devils need not look that far back. A year ago at this time, the team was self-destructing to the point that usually-conservative GM Lou Lamoriello fired coach Robbie Ftorek and replaced him with Larry Robinson. I can remember sitting at the Meadowlands Arena (sorry, the Continental Airlines Arena) last April 6 -- less than a week before the playoffs began -- watching the Sabres humiliate the Devils, 5-0. The Devs finished the regular season 9-13-1-1.

Then, blessed with a series of favorable matchups (the weak Panthers and heartless Leafs in the first two rounds), the Devils found their stride and built some confidence. They overcame themselves in the Conference finals against the overmatched Flyers and were hitting on all cylinders against the banged-up Stars in the Finals.

Right now, the Devils are the league's best team. In goal, they have Martin Brodeur. Enough said. On defense, they have a great mix of youth and experience, finesse and grit. Up front, they have the best line in the game (Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Petr Sykora) and plenty of size and skill -- making them almost impossible to match up against. And, they have the confidence that a championship brings.

But the playoffs are different. Things can change quickly. Regular season winning streaks are quickly forgotten. Remember that, Devils, as you get ready to defend your Cup.

E.J. Hradek writes puck for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail ej.hradek@espnmag.com.