Up next: Zach Parise, Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils
by FrankD on Mar 12, 2010 8:00 AM EST
in 2009-10 game previews
10 comments
Record: 39-23-3 (4th in the East)
Scorers: Zach Parise (31g, 36a), Ilya Kovalchuk (34g, 32a), Travis Zajac (21g, 36a)
If ever there was a team giving the Penguins a run for their money this season than it would be the Devils. New Jersey holds a 4-0 lead on the series so far and now have the benefit of home ice for two games against the Pens over the next week.
When the Olympic break started the Devils were up one point on the Penguins in the Atlantic. Now, just about two weeks out of the break, the Penguins are the ones sitting atop the division with a four-point lead. The opportunity to really set them apart from New Jersey presents itself on this five-game road trip.
In more recent action, the Penguins have not lost a game in regulation since February 6th against the Canadiens. That doesn't necessarily mean they are on a win streak, but the point streak is at least alive and well with a 5-0-4. Sure you can argue that the Pens missed out on four points with those shootout and overtime losses, but they also wouldn't hold the division lead right now if not for the pity points. So in other words, let's take it.
The Devils are an even 2-2 since returning from the Oly break. Wednesday night against the Rangers, NJ tied a season high for goals scored in a 6-3 win over the Rangers. Of course they needed a performance like that after an abysmal 2-0 shutout loss to the Oilers earlier in the week.
Since joining the Devils, Ilya Kovalchuk has three goals and five assists over 10 games. That's not a bad performance by any means, but I'm sure Devils fans would like to see an increase in the 'G' column as the regular season winds down. Kovi is scoreless in two games against the Pens this season.
On a final note, in case you haven't seen Hooks and I chirping away this week, we will both be on hand for the game tonight. I know tehchico will be there as well, but if anyone else plans on coming in for the game shoot me an e-mail and maybe we can all meet up. I know Hooks and I will be at the bar across the street starting at 4:00ish. Look for a guy in a blue Winter Classic Orpik jersey (Hooks). I've yet to decide which one I'm wearing, but I think I may go with the old school Mario jerz (the one where Pittsburgh is spelled diagonally across the chest).
Puck and thread drop at 7:00. JustinM makes his recap debut tonight after the game.
Play nice.
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Dang it! My friends all chipped in for two good tickets to a Pens/Devils game for my birthday—the 3/17 one. Is anyone planning on going to that one?
Anyway. There’s nothing like the Penguins for snatching a defeat out of the jaws of victory. Carolina doesn’t want their season to end, so of course they’d pull out all the stops, but I hate that the Pens blew a 2-point lead. I really hope they can beat the Devils tonight. Not only do they need to prove that they can, but there are a couple Devils fans at my work who are getting far too cocky.
"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007
Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast victories and drown defeats.
The first four games in this season series have been the picture of domination, with the Devils outscoring the Pens 14-2, including a pair of shutouts in the last two meetings.
Two Devils come to mind when I think back to those earlier games; Brodeur, of course, was all but unbeatable. The other is Niclas Bergfors, who picked up a point on 7 of the 14 New Jersey goals (4 goals, 3 assists). Fortunately for the Pens, Bergfors is now plying his trade down in Atlanta.
As alluded to by Frank, neither team is exactly playing at the top of their game, with the Pens having won just 5 of their last 10, and the Devils picking up 4 wins over that stretch.
New Jersey seems to thrive on playing with the lead; in three of four meetings, they have taken the lead early in the 1st period and never looked back. They have held the lead for nearly 175 minutes over the four games, compared to just 14:38 for Pittsburgh,.
Maybe with the Penguin killer Bergfors no longer in the Devils’ lineup, the Pens can get out in front and force Jersey out of their normal game plan. I’m not overly optimistic.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 12, 2010 9:30 AM EST reply actions
I’m confident for many reasons. The Pens are due a win in my book. Kovalchuk has been quiet the past two games. And most importantly, I’ll be on hand for this one.
I think the key is getting the lead early and making the Devils play Pittsburgh’s game. If the Devs go up 1-0 early or even 2-0, I think we’ll see the Penguins having some issues getting through that neutral zone. Devs have been very good at shutting them down this season.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I totally disregarded the power of the fan. Make yourselves heard, guys. Let the boys know you are there
I like the idea of the Pens being due. I also like that this game will be airing on the lone HD Center Ice channel on Comcast in my area.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 12, 2010 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Kovalchuk
In his career he is averaging 1.27 ppg vs the Pens. If we wake him up that could be bad. This year he has done nothing vs the Pens in 2 games.
Just from a numbers standpoint, I’d take Kovi’s 1.27 ppg compared to Bergfors 1.75 ppg this season.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 12, 2010 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
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