Game 13 Preview: Devils Vs. Penguins
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to get back on track tonight in the back end of a home-and-home series with the New Jersey Devils.
On Saturday, the Devils took advantage of a very undisciplined Penguins team to earn a 3-1 victory. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Penguins.
Pittsburgh took 12 minor penalties in the game, which resulted in 10 power play chances for the Devils.
However, the Devils finally cashed in twice in the third period, which proved to be the difference in the game.
At even strength, the Penguins were able to generate some chances, but with that many penalties, they never got into a rhythm.
With the win, the Devils moved ahead of the Penguins to recapture the Atlantic Division lead. The good news is that the Penguins can get it right back tonight.
Patrik Elias (three goals, 10 assists) and David Clarkson (seven goals, six assists) lead the team with 13 points. Clarkson's seven goals also lead the team.
Sniper Ilya Kovalchuk has three goals and six assists in 11 games this season.
Martin Brodeur (6-1-2, 2.29 GAA, .911 save percentage) stopped 24 shots on Saturday in his 1,200th NHL game, but it would seem unlikely that he would get the start again tonight.
If it's not Brodeur in net, it'll be former Penguin Johan Hedberg (1-0-1, 0.48 GAA, .980 save percentage).
Against the Penguins, Hedberg is 2-5-1 with a 3.06 GAA and .894 save percentage.
For Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby has his six-game point streak snapped on Saturday. However, he still leads the team with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists).
James Neal currently leads the team with seven goals, but also has a minus-four rating, which is the worst on the team.
Based on how the rest of the season has gone, it would appear likely that Tomas Vokoun (3-1-0, 2.09 GAA, .927 save percentage) would get the nod tonight.
Against the Devils, Vokoun is 7-7-1 with a 2.33 GAA and .925 save percentage. He has also shut out the Devils twice.
The puck is set to drop at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on the NBC Sports Network.
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