Way back in the beginning of the season, the Devils and Penguins faced off at the Prudential Center. The Devils played with only 15 skaters, but even if they had 18, it probably wouldn't have mattered. In a game that Devils fans have witnessed over and over, the Penguins built up a small lead going into the third period, controlled much of the game until then, and a flurry of shots didn't lead to enough goals to make the comeback. Ah, the memories. Anyway, Frank D's recap of that game is here at Pensburgh; while my recap can be had here. The Devils are 0-1-0 against the Penguins this season.
The Goal: I have yet to complete compiling the numbers to determine how bad it has truly been, but the Devils have been absolutely horrid in the second period. If they aren't being outscored, they are usually getting outshot. Even if the Devils go into the second period with a lead, like they did in their last game at Philadelphia, the opposition has consistently got some if not all of the game's momentum in the second period. The Penguins are ridiculously hot right now and it's going to take a ridiculously focused and controlled effort to slow them down, much less stop them. I believe that if the Devils continue to be doormats in the second period of tonight's game, then they will not have a chance to win.
I emphasize "chance," because it will truly take a full 60 minute effort to stay competitive with this Penguins squad. But given how the Devils have played this season, I have to set the goals lower. A second period where they aren't dominated is a good hope as any at this juncture.
I have a few more thoughts about tonight's game after the jump. For a Penguins' take, please visit Pensburgh.
Star-divide
So. Pittsburgh. Winner of their last 9 games. A torrid streak where they have scored a total of 31 goals (3.44 goals/game) and allowed only 14 (1.56 goals/game). A team led by Sidney Crosby, who's basically all but scoring at will. Forget whatever Pierre McGuire thinks, this guy is a true monster:
GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG SOG PCT
2010-11 - Sidney Crosby 28 23 23 46 10 15 8 1 2 111 20.7
Making this statline more impressive is that he has played only 4 games this season where he's been held off the scoresheet. The Devils game back in October 11 was one of them. The last one was on November 3 in a 5-2 loss to Dallas. That's right, Crosby has a point-streak currently over a month old.
Of course, it's not just the Crosby Show in Pittsburgh. Their defense is led by Paul Martin (23:15 ATOI). While Martin may not have a lot of points; Devils fans know full well what he brings to the table: shutdown defense. According to Behind the Net, the shots against per 60 minutes at even strength go from 26.8 to 21.6 when Martin comes on the ice. As if the Devils don't have enough problems on offense, they will undoubtedly see 22-25 minutes of him tonight to make matters more difficult.
The Goal: I have yet to complete compiling the numbers to determine how bad it has truly been, but the Devils have been absolutely horrid in the second period. If they aren't being outscored, they are usually getting outshot. Even if the Devils go into the second period with a lead, like they did in their last game at Philadelphia, the opposition has consistently got some if not all of the game's momentum in the second period. The Penguins are ridiculously hot right now and it's going to take a ridiculously focused and controlled effort to slow them down, much less stop them. I believe that if the Devils continue to be doormats in the second period of tonight's game, then they will not have a chance to win.
I emphasize "chance," because it will truly take a full 60 minute effort to stay competitive with this Penguins squad. But given how the Devils have played this season, I have to set the goals lower. A second period where they aren't dominated is a good hope as any at this juncture.
I have a few more thoughts about tonight's game after the jump. For a Penguins' take, please visit Pensburgh.
Star-divide
So. Pittsburgh. Winner of their last 9 games. A torrid streak where they have scored a total of 31 goals (3.44 goals/game) and allowed only 14 (1.56 goals/game). A team led by Sidney Crosby, who's basically all but scoring at will. Forget whatever Pierre McGuire thinks, this guy is a true monster:
GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG SOG PCT
2010-11 - Sidney Crosby 28 23 23 46 10 15 8 1 2 111 20.7
Making this statline more impressive is that he has played only 4 games this season where he's been held off the scoresheet. The Devils game back in October 11 was one of them. The last one was on November 3 in a 5-2 loss to Dallas. That's right, Crosby has a point-streak currently over a month old.
Of course, it's not just the Crosby Show in Pittsburgh. Their defense is led by Paul Martin (23:15 ATOI). While Martin may not have a lot of points; Devils fans know full well what he brings to the table: shutdown defense. According to Behind the Net, the shots against per 60 minutes at even strength go from 26.8 to 21.6 when Martin comes on the ice. As if the Devils don't have enough problems on offense, they will undoubtedly see 22-25 minutes of him tonight to make matters more difficult.
