Game 14 Preview: Penguins At Devils

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Nov 5, 09:35 AM | Hype this story!
Introduction

Two games, two two-goal leads, two three to two losses.  Can the jinx of two come to an end tonight as the Pittsburgh Penguins conclude their four-game road trip in New Jersey against the Devils?  Read on.

And remember to check out Mike Adams’ Grade ‘A’ Reviews tomorrow morning.
 

The Matchup
Teams Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New Jersey Devils
Location Prudential Center:  Newark, New Jersey
Time 7:00 pm EST
Television Fox Sports Pittsburgh, Fox Sports New York (NJ)
Post-Game
 
Grade ‘A’ Reviews
 
Inside The Game
It’s a divisional game.  Not much more needs to be said about this one.  Four points are at stake instead of the normal two.  This is a big game for both teams, but especially the Penguins, who have struggled to play for 60 minutes at a time.  While the Devils may be sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, they are just one point behind the Penguins and have the talent and the system to win a defensive game on any given night.
 
Prediction
One thing is almost certain: this game should be a low-scoring contest between a defensive team and a team struggling to find its offensive identity.  With the Penguins’ scoring depth troubles, they could find it difficult to bury the puck against the Devils and Martin Brodeur.  If the Penguins goaltender — most likely Marc-Andre Fleury for the second consecutive game — can keep the puck out of the net, the Penguins could squeak away with a much-needed victory.

With that being said, don’t expect a victory for the black and gold.  Look for a good defensive effort but a poor offensive effort by the Penguins.

Final score: 2-1, Devils win.
 
Team Stats
  GP W L OT Pts GF GA PP% PK% Home/Road
Penguins 13 6 6 1 13 38 41 24.6 85.5 3-3-0, R
Devils
 
13
 
5
 
6
 
2
 
12
 
32
 
39
 
16.4
 
81.7
 
2-1-0, H
 
Team Leaders
Stat # Penguins Stat # Devils
Goals 7 Crosby Goals 6 Madden/Pandolfo
Assists 13 Crosby/Malkin Assists 8 Parise
Points 20 Crosby Points 12 Parise
PIMs 19 Malone PIMs 41 Clarkson
Wins
 
4
 
Fleury
 
Wins
 
4
 
Brodeur
 
Note: Info up-to-date as of 9:30 am, Monday, November 5, 2007.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Nov 5, 01:34 PM

    I’ll be watching…I’m a die-hard fan!

  2. Let's Go Pens @ Myspace

    Nov 5, 03:53 PM

    Is any one else as tired of seeing the Devils as we are? “This isn’t your fathers Devils!” Who cares, it’s till Madden/Pandolfo jobbing the Pens top line as they have for the last 37 yrs, and Marty B stopping just about everything. It gets real boring, real fast, everytime. They seem to play them once a week, and a quick glance at the schedule shows us that you know who visits Mellon 1 week from tonight, oh, the Devils! Again!?!

    Bottom line, we hate the Devils.

  3. Groove

    Nov 5, 06:25 PM

    NO better time for a struggling team than right now for Jordan Staal to break out. The defense needs to play well tonight and be patient with what New Jersey will give us. It may not be as bleak as it seems.

  4. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 6, 10:51 AM

    Lets Go Pens — looks like your analysis of the Devils was wrong for last night! What a game that must have been!

    Anyway, I too hate playing divisional rivals eight times per season, but I believe that is to change next year.

    Groove, Staal will break out sooner or later — I’m not worried though, as his defense is still spot on. As long as he is contributing in one way or another, he is fine, in my book.

Commenting is closed for this article.