Scott Clemmensen, once a hero for the New Jersey Devils (15-29-3), is now their biggest pain.
The Devils will attempt to beat Clemmensen for the first time today as they face the Florida Panthers (21-20-5) today at the Prudential Center.
During the 2008-2009, Clemmensen went from Devils backup to starting goaltender when Martin Brodeur tore a distal biceps in his left elbow. With their future Hall of Famer down, many experts believed New Jersey would struggle. But Clemmensen played well, going 25-13-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
After that season, Clemmensen signed a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Panthers. In three games against the Devils, Clemmensen is 3-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and .944 save percentage.
Clemmensen will face a hot Devils team today. New Jersey is undefeated since the halfway point of the season, going 5-0-1 to earn 11 of a possible 12 points.
The only defeat during the streak came against the Panthers on January 15. Tied 2-2 in overtime, Dmitry Kulikov snapped a wrist shot past Brodeur for the overtime winner.
While the Devils are hot, the Panthers went cold. Since beating the Devils, the Panthers have dropped three straight games. Thomas Vokoun will not dress as Clemmensen's backup tonight.