Jets-Devils Preview
Share This Story
The New Jersey Devils have the luxury of playing six straight games at the Prudential Center, with their next road contest more than 2 1/2 weeks away.
While it seems like a favorable time to pile up points, they'll face several tough tests.
The Devils open a difficult homestand Tuesday night against a Winnipeg Jets team looking to avenge a home loss to New Jersey over the weekend.
The Devils (25-17-2) capped a four-game road trip Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Jets. Andrew Ladd got Winnipeg on the scoreboard first with his 15th goal of the season, but New Jersey answered with goals from Kurtis Foster and Patrik Elias in a 2:58 span midway through the third period to win for the fourth time in five games.
"We just need to keep winning games," coach Peter DeBoer said. "You see in this league, and you take your foot off the gas for a weekend, never mind a six-game homestand, and you can be on the bottom looking up pretty quickly. We're doing some good things, we're putting points in the bank on a regular basis and we need to continue to do that."
It seems like that could be tough during the next few weeks.
After the rematch with the Jets (21-19-5), the Devils face Northeast Division-leading Boston on Thursday and Philadelphia on Saturday. They'll later host the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers on Jan. 31 before playing their next road game Feb. 4.
New Jersey is currently sitting in sixth place in the East with 52 points, but four teams - including the Jets - are within five points.
"We need to be in that pack," Martin Brodeur told the Devils' official website. "Slowly you put some teams down, and Winnipeg is a team that's below us, so the two points we got from them was important and the ones from (Tuesday) will be even more important."
The Devils have taken two of three from the Jets this season and have won four straight over the Winnipeg franchise in New Jersey.
Brodeur has been in net for both victories over the Jets in 2011-12, stopping 43 of 46 shots. He has posted a 1.71 goals-against average in winning his last four starts against the former Thrashers.
The Devils could have center Adam Henrique back after he sat out Saturday because of a minor groin injury. Henrique, who is tied with Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Philadelphia's Matt Read for the rookie lead with 13 goals, had three in the first two games of the series with the Jets.
While the Devils have been off since Saturday, Winnipeg played Monday, beating Ottawa 2-0 to snap a three-game losing streak. Jim Slater scored 49 seconds in and Tobias Enstrom scored his second goal of the season for the Jets, who had lost five of six.
Winnipeg has scored 15 goals in its last nine games.
"I thought we've been looking for that game for the last couple of weeks," goaltender Chris Mason said. "We're a fairly low-scoring team and it seems one or two breakdowns have cost us lately, and I thought (Monday) the guys just did a wonderful job.''
Mason made 25 saves for his second shutout, but likely won't start the second game of Winnipeg's back-to-back.
Ondrej Pavelec, who had started four straight games before getting the night off Monday, stopped 23 shots against the Devils on Saturday. He has been in net for all three games against New Jersey this season, posting a 2.33 GAA.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: Duncan won't leave Spurs
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-ag... -
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Angels ace Weaver leaves with injury
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver has left his start against the Yankees in the fir...
NHL Videos
Stanley Cup Preview: X Factors
Posted: May 29, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Posted: May 28, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
Stanley Cup Preview: Coaches & Strategy
Posted: May 28, 2012
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
NHL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 124.95 | Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack |
| Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 | 11.95 | Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick |
| Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.