8-3-0 | 16 Points 6-1-3 | 15 Points
What to Watch For: Pens vs. Devils (Home-and-Home Series)
Friday, 02.08.2013 / 2:36 PM / Features
By Sam Kasan
PENGUINS (8-3-0) vs. DEVILS (6-1-3)
WHEN: February 9, 2013 - 1:00 p.m. | WHERE: Prudential Center WATCH: ROOT SPORTS | LISTEN: Penguins Radio 24/7, 105.9 FM
WHEN: February 10, 2013 - 7:30 p.m. | WHERE: CONSOL Energy Center WATCH: NBC Sports Network | LISTEN: Penguins Radio 24/7, 105.9 FM
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the hottest teams this season, losing only one game in regulation for a 6-1-3 record – that loss was a 5-1 setback in Pittsburgh Feb. 2. The Devils are one-point behind the Penguins in the Atlantic Division race, setting up a big home-and-home series this weekend.
Devils head coach Peter DeBoer told Tom Gulitti of The Record, “We know what (the Penguins) are about. They gave us a pretty good lesson in Pittsburgh last week, so we’ve got to take a deep breath here and try to refuel and get ready because it’s four big points, a division rival and we need to play better than the last time we played against them.”
brodes.jpgSince the lopsided loss to the Penguins, the Devils have won three straight games, allowing only three total goals in those contests. Team defense has always been a key to New Jersey’s success, and this season is no exception. The Devils rank fifth (tied) in the NHL as of Friday in goals against per game at 2.10.
A big part of team defense is penalty killing, and the Devils are hotter than hell (see what I did there?) when it comes to the PK. New Jersey’s PK was arguably its best asset last season. The Devils finished with the top-ranked killing percentage (89.6%) in the NHL and their current season kill rate (87.8%) ranks sixth. They’ve successfully killed off the last 19 disadvantages.
The Devils’ PK hasn’t just been a source of defense for the team, it’s also contributed to the offense. New Jersey leads the league with three shorthanded goals, two from star forward Ilya Kovalchuk. One of those shorthanded scores came against Pittsburgh by Andy Greene. The Devils also led the NHL last season with 15 shorthanded tallies. They’re a dangerous team, even when down a man.
The Devils offense has been led by the trio of Patrik Elias, Adam Henrique and David Clarkson. The ageless Elias, 36, and breakout star Clarkson lead the team in scoring with 13 points each. Clarkson is a finisher in this league. He paces the squad with seven goals, building off the 30 he potted last season. Henrique missed the first five games of the season while recovering from a broken thumb. He’s hit the ground running (or skating) since his return, netting three goals and four points in five games.
The Devils boast a strong defensive corps, led by captain Bryce Salvador and the physical Anton Volchenkov. But as with every season, the success of New Jersey is directly linked to the play of their Hall of Fame netminder. Brodeur is playing at his usual elite level, posting a 5-1-2 record with a 2.44 goals-against average and .906 save percentage. He has held opponent to two goals or less in five of his eight starts, including his 120th career shutout, although the Penguins scored five on him the last time these teams met. Brodeur will start Saturday, his 1,200th career game. Wow.
(Getty Images)
DEVILS: ILYA KOVALCHUK
The Penguins better keep an eye on Kovalchuk, who has tortured them during his career. Kovalchuk has 48 points (24G-24A) in 43 games against the Penguins in his lifetime. Kovalchuk is the type of player that general managers daydream about having on their team. He’s a brilliant two-way talent that is in a category of his own. His offense speaks for itself. Kovalchuk may be the deadliest goal scorer in the NHL. He’s scored 50 goals twice in his career and has scored 40 goals six times. His lowest goal output was 29 in his rookie season in 2001-02. Kovalchuk is also a brilliant defender, who is persistent in his backchecking and a valuable penalty killer. He adds a scoring threat to the PK – evidenced by his five shorthanded goals in the last two seasons.
PENGUINS: SIDNEY CROSBY
- The Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Pittsburgh enters today’s game riding a season-high five-game winning streak –the longest active winning streak in the NHL.
- Today begins a home-and-home series between the Penguins and Devils.
- After this weekend’s games, the Penguins and Devils won’t play again until they conclude the season series in the Penguins’ next-tolast game of the season on April 25 at the Prudential Center.
- The Penguins have gone 8-4-1 in their last 13 games against New Jersey.
- Pittsburgh has won three consecutive games against the Devils by a 15-5 margin.
- This season the Penguins have posted a 5-1 overall record against Atlantic Division foes, including a 4-0 mark on the road.
- During Pittsburgh’s five-game winning streak, the PK has gone 17-for-19 (89.5%).
- The Penguins have scored 23 goals (4.6 avg.) in their last five games.
- Today the Penguins play the front end of their third set of back-to-back games this season. Thus far the Penguins are a perfect 4-0 in back-to-back games.
PENGUINS:
D Kris Letang, lower body
D Matt Niskanen, lower body
DEVILS:
F Dainius Zubrus, upper body
Pens Practice in Newark
Friday, 02.08.2013 / 5:47 PM / Features
By Michelle Crechiolo
With Winter Storm Nemo closing in on New Jersey, the Penguins changed their travel plans accordingly.
KIPPER'S MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE GAME
"Promise" by Victor which was Alex Lifeson of Rush's solo project from 1995. I jammed hard on this song when it came out. Edwin from "I mother Earth" is on vocals and the album as a whole is a pretty forward Alternative Rock album, fitting in with that genre. There was a Video made for this song but the only one out there is a terrible quality one
-
brodes.jpg (69.5 KB) -
pens-prac-in-newark-story-2-8.jpg (31.9 KB)