SB Nation New York - Lucky Bounce Gives Devils 2-1 Win Over Senatorshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-02-01T22:19:04-05:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17322262011-02-01T22:19:04-05:002011-02-01T22:19:04-05:00Lucky Bounce Gives Devils 2-1 Win Over Senators
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<p>There haven't been many bounces going the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> way this season.</p>
<p>On Tuesday night, one finally did.</p>
<p>A fluke deflection on a <span>Dainius Zubrus</span> shot proved to be the game-winning goal at the Devils defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a>, 2-1, at the Prudential Center.</p>
<p>Zubrus' game-winner came with 5:43 left in the third period. The Devils' right-winger turned with the puck near the goal line and fired a shot toward net. <span>Chris Neil</span> deflected the puck, and it fluttered over <span>Robin Lehner</span>'s shoulder and into the net for Zubrus' eighth goal of the season.</p>
<p>"As I turned around, I saw Patrik going to the net and I tried to get the puck to him because I thought he beat his defender," <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/lemaire_still_thinks_making_the_playoffs_will_be_nearly_impossible_for_devi/" target="_blank">Zubrus explained to Tom Gulitti of <i>The Bergen Record</i></a>. "It was a lucky bounce, but we'll take it. If you look at the chances overall and the shots (33-16) and the way we played, I thought we still earned it."</p>
<p>Both <span>Brian Rolston</span> and <span>Patrik Elias</span> assisted on the goal, extending their individual point streaks to six games.</p>
<p><span>Nick Palmieri</span> put the Devils ahead, 1-0, 35 seconds into the second period. <span>Andy Greene</span> took a shot from the point that deflected to the rookie right-winger. Lehner blocked Palmieri's initial shot, but the rookie lifted his rebound past the pads for his fourth goal of the season.</p>
<p>Patrik Elias almost made it 2-0, but fired a shot off the post at 2:35 of the period.</p>
<p>After that chance, Lehner shut down the Devils. The rookie goalie stopped 15 of 16 shots in the second period, denying the Devils' multiple scoring chances. He used his right pad to deny <span>Tim Sestito</span> at 11:57 of the period, then dove across the crease to deny <span>Rod Pelley</span> shortly after.</p>
<p>Penalties cost the Devils the lead in the middle period.</p>
<p>Alexei Kovalev's 5-on-3 powerplay goal tied the game, 1-1, at 5:09 of the second period. With both Brian Rolston and Dainius Zubrus in the box, <span>Daniel Alfredsson</span> held the puck along the side boards. His cross-ice pass found Kovalev alone in front, and the right-winger tapped it past <span>Martin Brodeur</span> for his ninth goal of the season.</p>
<p>With the win, the Devils improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Even with that impressive streak, they still sit 20 points behind Atlanta for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p>The Islanders, who beat the Thrashers, 4-1, tonight, remain two points ahead of New Jersey for last place in the league.</p>
<p>Despite the bleak outlook, the Devils are reveling in their recent success.</p>
<p>"We're playing hard," <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/lemaire_still_thinks_making_the_playoffs_will_be_nearly_impossible_for_devi/" target="_blank">defenseman Colin White said to Gulitti</a>. "We're playing simple, but we're playing as a team, so we just want to keep it going and take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead. But it's definitely fun getting some Ws."</p>
<p><b>Game Notes</b></p>
<p>White returned to the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury...The Senators' powerplay goal was only their second in 29 chances...Palmieri's goal was his third in five games...The Devils now have four straight home wins, their longest home win streak of the season.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-jersey-devils/2011/2/1/1969329/lucky-bounce-gives-new-jersey-devils-2-1-win-over-ottawa-senatorsAJ Manderichio2011-02-01T20:45:57-05:002011-02-01T20:45:57-05:00Sens, Devils Tied, 1-1, After Two Periods
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> are tied, 1-1, after two periods in the game tonight at the Prudential Center.</p>
<p>New Jersey outshot the Sens, 16-4, in the period. They hold a 25-6 advantage in overall shots.</p>
<p>Rookie right-winger <span>Nick Palmieri</span> put the Devils ahead, 1-0, 35 seconds into the second period. <span>Andy Greene</span> fired a shot from the point that deflected to Palmieri. The right-winger's first shot was blocked by <span>Robin Lehner</span>, but he put the rebound up over the pads for his fourth goal of the season.</p>
<p>Palmieri has been one of the hotter forwards, recording three goals in his past five games.</p>
<p><span>Patrik Elias</span> almos extended the lead to 2-0 at 2:35 of the period. <span>Vladimir Zharkov</span> and Elias broke into the Devils' zone on a 2-on-1, and Elias' shot attempt rang off the post.</p>
<p>Alexei Kovalev tied the game, 1-1, with a powerplay goal at 5:09 of the period. With both <span>Brian Rolston</span> and <span>Dainius Zubrus</span> in the box, Kovalev moved to the front of the net. <span>Daniel Alfredsson</span> threw a cross-ice pass to the right-winger, who tapped in the puck for his ninth goal of the season.</p>
<p>The Devils had been a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty kill before the goal.</p>
<p>Lehner continued to deny the Devils a lead throughout the period. His right-pad stop on <span>Tim Sestito</span>'s in-close attempt at 11:57 kept the score tied. He then dove across the crease to deny <span>Rod Pelley</span>'s one-timer from the slot, keeping the puck between the pads.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-jersey-devils/2011/2/1/1969233/sens-devils-tied-1-1-after-two-periodsAJ Manderichio2011-02-01T19:49:19-05:002011-02-01T19:49:19-05:00Sens, Devils Scoreless After One Period
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> are scoreless after one period in tonight's game at the Prudential Center.</p>
<p>New Jersey led the period in shots, 9-2.</p>
<p>Despite the large discrepancy in shots, Ottawa had the best scoring chance of the period. Alexei Kovalev, alone near the right circle, fired a shot that <span>Martin Brodeur</span> gloved with 5:13 left in the period.</p>
<p>Devils defenseman <span>Colin White</span> returned to the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury. White didn't skate with the team today, leading many to believe rookie <span>Alexander Urbom</span> would get the start.</p>
<p>Instead, Urbom ended up as a healthy scratch with <span>Mattias Tedenby</span> and <span>Mark Fayne</span>.</p>
<p><span>Ilya Kovalchuk</span> will once again see heavy minutes tonight. Devils' coach Jacques Lemaire double-shifted the left-winger for most of the first period. </p>
<p>The Senators started rookie goalie <span>Robin Lehner</span> tonight. In his only other career start, Lehner allowed four goals on 24 shots in a 6-4 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a>. He's appeared in three games this season.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-jersey-devils/2011/2/1/1969111/ottawa-senators-new-jersey-devils-scoreless-after-one-periodAJ Manderichio2011-02-01T13:29:06-05:002011-02-01T13:29:06-05:00Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils: Devils Look To Stay Hot After Break
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<p>In their eight games before the All-Star break, the <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> (16-30-3) went a staggering 6-1-1.</p>
<p>That streak, their most productive of the season, showed a return to "Devils hockey" and ignited talk of a miracle playoff run.</p>
<p>New Jersey will look to remain hot as they face the <a href="https://www.silversevensens.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ottawa Senators</a> (17-25-8) tonight at the Prudential Center.</p>
<p>Devils' interim coach Jacques Lemaire, just 1-7-0 in his first eight games, oversaw an overall improvement during his team's eight game stretch. The team outscored opponents, 29-16, and didn't allow more than three goals to any opponent.</p>
<p>Several struggling players also turned in positive performances. <span>Brian Rolston</span>, who twice went through waivers, recorded 11 points in eight games. <span>Martin Brodeur</span> went 5-1-1 during the stretch, returning to the stellar play many fans are accustomed to seeing. Even <span>Ilya Kovalchuk</span>, given more ice time under Lemaire, found his scoring touch, recording eight points in eight games.</p>
<p><span>Patrik Elias</span> will also look to continue his hot streak. The team leader in points and powerplay goals carries a five-game point streak into tonight's game.</p>
<p>Despite their success, the Devils face a daunting task of contending for the playoffs. They sit 22 points behind the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/atlanta-thrashers" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Thrashers</a> for the eighth seed, and their 35 points are the lowest in the league. </p>
<p>New Jersey can gain an important two points against a sputtering Senators team tonight. Unlike New Jersey, Ottawa went 1-6-3 before the All-Star break and fell to last in the Northeast Division.</p>
<p>The Sens beat the Devils in their only meeting of the season, 3-2, on December 10. <span>Erik Karlsson</span> had a goal and an assist in the win. Kovalchuk recorded two assists, and a disallowed goal ultimately sealed the Devils loss.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/2/1/2328993/ottawa-senators-at-new-jersey-devils-devils-look-to-stay-hot-afterAJ Manderichio