The New Jersey Devils hosted the Vancouver Canucks in the Prudential Center on Friday night riding a four-game winning streak, but they were unable to defeat the Western Conference first-place team to extend that streak to five. When time ran out in the third period, the Devils were trailing by a score of 2-1. This loss gives New Jersey a record of 35-21-4 and puts them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and the win for the Canucks gives them 86 points as the team has already sealed a berth in the playoffs.
The Devils' one and only goal was scored by right winger David Clarkson, with assists from Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora at the 11:30 mark in the second period. They had already given up two goals at that point. Those goals were scored by defenseman Aaron Rome in the first period, and left winger Mason Raymond early in the second.
The Devils will look to bounce back on Sunday at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning where Devils fans could get their first look at new defenseman Marek Zidlicky, who was acquired on Friday via a trade with the Minnesota Wild. The Canucks will look to win their third game in a row on the row in Dallas against the Stars on Sunday as well.
For more on the Devils, head to In Lou We Trust, and for more on the Canucks, head to Nucks Misconduct.