Sunday, November 11, 2007

Game #18 - vs New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils (6-8-2, 14 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins (7-9-1, 15 pts)

vs

UPDATED - line combinations are up at Pittsburgh Sports Insider. Army is a healthy scratch. Sid and Malkin are split up.

The Devils have the chance to kick the Pens around, repaying them for the thrashing they received at home last week. With the way the Pens have been playing lately, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to see that happening.

Since starting the season 5-3, the Pens have struggled, going just 2-6-1 over the last nine games. Their penalty kill, reliable until recently, has allowed 6 goals in two games. Their power play has been unable to get the timely goal.

There is hope on the horizon. The Devils are in town. They are 0-3-2 in their last five on the road (their last road win was here in Pittsburgh on October 17th).

The Devils have also been taking penalties at a rate that is alarming, for them. They've allowed a power play goal in three straight games.

The key is to get a lead on the Devils. They like to deploy an aggressive fore check, get the lead, and then use their trap in the third period. If they get to deploy that trap, the Pens will have a hard time winning the game.

Devils blog - Fire and Ice - Tom fills us in on the availability of Lagenbrunner and Colin White.

Let's Go Pens!

No comments: