by MARK EVERSON , The New York Post

These shocking Devils have so much on the line, so early in this season, when they visit the Penguins tonight.

The Devils and Penguins share the Atlantic Division lead, with New Jersey holding two games in hand. But perhaps more notably, the Devils will try to move within one game of the NHL record longest perfect road start, as they seek to go 9-0 on the road this year.

"We're surprised, sure," coach Jacques Lemaire said after the Devils won their sixth straight overall with a 3-1 triumph over the Ducks in Newark last night. "If they play their best, the points will be there - except if your team's not good.

"But I think this team is good."

Record chasing is one symptom of a good team, so are division leads and winning streaks. They say they're doing it silently.

"We're not talking about standings, we're not talking about streaks. We've been [concentrating on] the moment. It's a good way to be," said Jamie Langenbrunner, who opened the scoring 38 seconds into play, and added an assist.

Win tonight, as Mark Messier might say, and the Devils can tie the road start record Monday in Philadelphia. Win tonight, and when they play host to the Capitals Saturday, they can match their longest overall-winning streak of last season's 106-point Atlantic champs.

But these are the Stanley Cup champs they visit this evening.

New Jersey made it 12-of-14 with a solid performance last night, killing six penalties, and even scoring a short-hander. The formula is as it almost always has been for 14 years, defense and goaltending, and just enough scoring. They have allowed just 15 goals in 10 games, winning nine, yielding more than two goals once in those 10.

Playing his 900th NHL game, Langenbrunner scored the quickest Devils goal this season. Dainius Zubrus won an offensive draw, with help from Zach Parise, to Andy Greene at the right point. Greene moved toward the middle of the blue line and wristed an eminently tippable shot netward, and Langenbrunner deflected it over Jonas Hiller's shoulder for his third.

Anaheim answered at 2:25 of the second on Corey Perry's 12th of the year. Bobby Ryan circled behind the net for a left post wrap, and Ryan Getzlaf poked the rebound behind Martin Brodeur for Perry to sweep into the open net.

David Clarkson reopened the Devils' lead at 12:52, dancing behind Ryan Whitney, as Clarkson then made his toe-drag pull behind James Wisniewski to snap his fifth over Hiller's left-hand waffle.

Copyright 2009 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved
	Terms & Conditions     Privacy Copyright © 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.