New Jersey Devils (22-16-2, 46 points) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-4, 46 points)
7:00 PM EST
TV: MSG+
Radio: 970 AM WNYM

Matchup:

This will be the third of six meetings between the Devils and the Penguins this season. Pittsburgh won the first game, which was played in Pittsburgh, 4-1. The Devils were able to secure a win against Pittsburgh at Prudential Center on the last day of 2011 by a score of 3-1.

Devils De-claw Panthers:

Last night’s game between the Devils and Panthers did not seem like a hockey game until the third period. It seemed to resemble a tennis matchup early on. Adam Henrique gave the Devils an early 1-0 lead, but the Panthers were able to tie it just under four minutes later. Mr. 1,000, Patrik Elias, was able to give the Devils an early lead in the second period, scoring just 36 seconds into the period. Yet, the Panthers struck again just over two minutes later to tie the game, again.

It seemed as if it was going to be one of those games, again. The Devils blowing leads, and when it appeared that Florida had something to prove, coming out firing in the third period, I did not have a good feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Just seconds after the Devils Army Generals asked on Twitter who would score the game winning goal for the Devils, we had a goalvalchuk. Kovalchuk’s 13th of the season gave the Devils a 3-2 lead, which was enough for the eventual win. Kovalchuk scored a shorthanded empty netter for his 14th of the season, and Captain Zach Parise also scored an empty netter for his 14th of the season as well.

Palmieri Re-Called:

The New Jersey Devils have announced that right wing Nick Palmieri has been re-called from Albany of the AHL, and places Anton Volchenkov on injured reserve, retroactive to December 31.

This season with New Jersey, Palmieri has four goals and three assists in 23 games played. He has been sent down to Albany twice so far this season. In Albany, Palmieri has three goals and one assist in 15 games.

As for Volchenkov, he has missed three straight games after suffering a lower body injury against Pittsburgh on New Year’s Eve.

Where to Watch the Game:

The Devils Army Generals will be hosting a viewing party tonight at Simko’s Grill in Brielle, NJ. There will be giveaways, drink specials, photo-ops, and an appearance by Devils alum, and Stanley Cup Champion… Jim Dowd!

Be sure to check the event on Facebook, by clicking here, for more details!

Projected Devils Lineup:

Parise (C) – Henrique – Kovalchuk (A)
Sykora – Elias (A) – Zubrus
Tedenby – Zalewski – Clarkson
Boulton – Carter – Palmieri

Salvador – Larsson
Taormina – Foster
Tallinder – Fayne

Brodeur
Hedberg

Scratches: Zajac, Josefson, Janssen

——————–
The Latest on the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Just last week, the Penguins were on the verge of tying the New York Rangers on-top of the Atlantic Division standings, after being prevented by the Philadelphia Flyers, the New Jersey Devils also gave them a loss on New Year’s Eve.

Last night, the Rangers gave the Penguins their season’s worst winless streak of three games, all of which have been against division rivals. After losing at home last night in Pittsburgh, the Penguins will come out strong to make sure they don’t lose back-to-back games at CONSOL Enery Center. Despite the Penguins going up against future hall of famer Martin Brodeur, who has been playing spectacularly against the Penguins recently going 3-1-1, the Devils have yet to win at the Penguins’ new home, 0-3-1.

On the injury front, the Penguins saw Pascal Dupuis (lower body), Steve Sullivan (illness), Richard Park (foot), Paul Martin (lower body) and Zbynek Michalek (undisclosed) all return to the lineup for the Penguins’ game against the Rangers last night. However, just when it seemed all was starting to right itself, the Penguins may be without center Jordan Staal.

With just under five minutes left in the game, Staal and Rangers forward Mike Rupp collided at center ice in what appears to have been knee-to-knee contact. Staal was in obvious pain, but eventually stood and made his way off the ice. Penguins Head Coach Dan Bylsma had no update on Staal’s condition at the end of last night’s game and he is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Devils.

Projected Penguins Lineup:

Kunitz – Malkin – Neal
Dupuis – Staal – Kennedy
Sullivan – Park – Cooke
Adams – Vitale – McDonald

Orpik – Niskanen
Martin – Michalek
Lovejoy – Engelland

Fleury
Johnson 

Follow the Devils Army Generals on Facebook and on Twitter for more in-depth coverage of Jersey’s Team.

New Jersey Devils (20-15-1, 41 points) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (21-12-4, 46 points)
3:00 PM EST
TV: MSG+
Radio: WFAN 660 AM

Matchup:

Today’s matinee matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils will be the second game between the two clubs this season and the first of three at Prudential Center.

Balanced Scoring is Success:

The Devils have won eight of our their last 11 games, and the credit for this success is the balanced scoring seen from the team this season.

The Devils, who currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 41 points, are tied with the Philadelphia Flyers with seven skaters with double-digit goals.Patrik Elias is the leading scorer so far this season with 13 goals, but right behind him are Zach Parise (12), David Clarkson (12), Ilya Kovalchuk (11), Petr Sykora (10), Dainius Zubrus (10), and rookie sensation Adam Henrique (10).

Speaking of Adam Henrique, he is the player to watch for the Devils today. Remember, Henrique made the team out of training camp this season, to find himself on the fourth line and not really making the most of his chance. He was sent down to Albany of the American Hockey League to work on his game. Following an injury to Jacob Josefson (broken clavicle), Henrique was recalled and has been on fire since. Currently on a three-game point streak (2 goals, 1 assist),  the rookie is second on the team with 18 assists and third on the team with 28 points.  He is only seven points, behind Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the rookie lead in scoring.

Last Game Against Pittsburgh:

NJD (L) @ PIT (W)
Final Score: 4-1

Devils Goal Scorers: Patrik Elias

Pittsburgh Goal Scorers: Staal (2), Kunitz, Neal

For more game stats from this game, click here.

Projected Devils Lineup:

Parise (C) – Henrique – Kovalchuk (A)
Sykora – Elias (A) – Zubrus
Tedenby – Zajac – Clarkson
Boulton – Sestito – Janssen

Salvador – Larsson
Volchenkov – Foster
Tallinder – Fayne

Brodeur
Hedberg

——————–
The Latest on the Pittsburgh Penguins:

The Penguins looked to move into a tie with the New York Rangers at the top of the Atlantic Division, but the Philadelphia Flyers prevented that from happening and snapped the Penguins’ four-game winning streak.

Speaking of four-game winning streaks, the Penguins look to win their fourth straight against the Devils, despite Martin Brodeur starting in net  who has a 8-1-1  with a 0.79 GAA and four shutouts in his last 10 starts versus Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is also 1-4-1 in their last six road games against the Devils.

The Penguins will need an offensive surge from center Jordan Staal, which shouldn’t be a problem considering his success against New Jersey. He’s currently on a three-game goal-scoring streak, giving him 15 so far on the season, projecting him for 36 total this season.  In his last two games against the Devils, Staal has three goals and an assist.

Projected Penguins Lineup:

Kunitz – Malkin – Neal
Cooke – Staal – Kennedy
Sullivan – Vitale – Dupuis
Williams – Adams – Asham

Orpik – Niskanen
Despres – Michalek
Lovejoy – Picard

Fleury
Johnson 

Follow the Devils Army Generals on Facebook and on Twitter for more in-depth coverage of Jersey’s Team.