New York (5-5-5) at New Jersey (9-4-0)
- Game info: 7:00 pm EST Fri Nov 6, 2009
- TV: MSG+2, MSG+
A lack of scoring has been perhaps the New Jersey Devils’ biggest problem at home. They must have figured they’d be somewhat limited without Patrik Elias(notes).
With a chance to win two straight at the Prudential Center for the first time this season, the Devils may have one of their top scoring threats back as they face the New York Islanders on Friday night.
A 3-2 victory over Washington on Wednesday night was the second home win of the season for New Jersey (9-4-0). The Devils lost four of their previous five at the Prudential Center, scoring two goals or fewer in each of those contests.
New Jersey has been without Elias all season following groin surgery in mid-September, but the veteran center may be ready to return.
Elias had 78 points (31 goals, 47 assists) in 77 games with the Devils last season. He has two goals and three assists in his last four home games versus the Islanders (5-5-5).
The Devils haven’t been completely unproductive without Elias. They’ve won three straight and nine of 11 despite their problems at home, winning all seven of their road games.
“We’ve won two of our last three at home - that’s not too bad,” goaltender Martin Brodeur(notes) told the Devils’ official Web site. “You have to see the positives here. We’re playing well.”
Nicklas Bergfors(notes) gave the Devils a boost against Washington, scoring two power-play goals in the third period. Bergfors, a first-round pick in 2005, picked up his game after coach Jacques Lemaire put him on a line with Travis Zajac(notes) and Zach Parise(notes).
“Those are great players,” said Bergfors, third on the team behind Parise and Zajac with four goals. “You kind of raise your level much easier.”
Zajac had assists on both of Bergfors’ goals while Parise had one on the 22-year-old right wing’s second score. Parise leads the Devils with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and has six goals and nine assists in his last nine games against New York.
He helped the Devils go 4-2-0 against the Islanders in 2008-09.
New York has shown signs of improvement this season, winning four straight by a combined score of 15-5 before a 3-0 loss at Buffalo on Wednesday night. The Islanders had earned points in six straight (4-0-2).
Road games have given New York trouble, though. The Islanders are 1-3-3 away from Nassau Coliseum, averaging 2.1 goals.
New York beat the Sabres 5-0 at home Saturday night but couldn’t generate anything offensively against the NHL’s top defense Wednesday.
Islanders rookie John Tavares(notes) was held off the scoresheet following a four-game point streak (two goals, two assists). The 19-year-old center’s 11 points (five goals, six assists) put him in a tie with Matt Moulson(notes) for the team lead.
Team Comparison
| Team | G | W | L | OTL | Pts | Standings | GF | GA | Road/Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 24 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 25 | 5th, Atlantic | 67 | 74 | 4-6-5 Road |
| New Jersey | 21 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 2nd, Atlantic | 58 | 48 | 5-4-0 Home |
Blog Coverage from SB Nation
Lighthouse Hockey
In Lou We TrustInjuries
Rick DiPietro G, Mark Flood D, Jeremy Reich LW, Radek Martinek D, Doug Weight C
Paul Martin D, Jay Pandolfo LW, Johnny Oduya D, Rob Niedermayer C, Dainius Zubrus C, Ilkka Pikkarainen RW
Notes
The Islanders, who finished in last place in the Eastern Conference, finished the season 26-47-9 on the season. ... New York finished with 61 points, its lowest total since 2000-01 (52). ... The Islanders, who had the worst record in the NHL, have a strong chance at obtaining the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. The draft lottery is scheduled for Tuesday. ... The Islanders finished their 37th season and for the first time ever, they finished without a 20-goal scorer on their roster.
Apr 12, 11:05 pm EDT
Last game: 4-3 loss vs. Carolina, April 28 Series: Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinals, 4-3 Less than 90 seconds away from a second-round matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Devils allowed two goals in a 48-second span and were eliminated by the Hurricanes. ... RW Jamie Langenbrunner registered a game-high seven shots on goal. After the devastating loss, Langenbrunner admitted he underwent knee surgery following Game Two of the series, forcing him to miss the next three contests. ... LW Brendan Shanahan recorded two assists in what may have been his final NHL game. The 40-year-old signed with the Devils in mid-January after sitting out the first half of the season as a free agent.
Apr 29, 12:03 am EDT
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Danis is great i hope he can take enough games that Brodeur can truly focus on the big games against stronger rivals. .
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P.S. Is there a chance to trade Rolston for someone who can actually handle the stick?! I kinda miss Gionta and his determination.
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LETS GO DEVILS!!!
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