N.J. Devils: Newark Sweeps Home And Home From Penguins

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS - David Clarkson Continues Pitching His Fork Into Atlantic Division Foes.

Broad Street Demons In First Place At First Quarter Check Point

 

 

The Devils extended their first place lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins by sweeping both games of a home-and-home series.  Sunday evening in Steel City, David Clarkson's hot scoring touch continued with two more goals, bringing his season total to nine.  Along with Ilya Kovalchuk's fourth goal of the season coming in the second period, the Devils rode a 3-0 lead into the third session.  James Neal scored for Pittsburgh, to get them within two goals of Newark.  But Johan Hedberg made sure the Penguins scored no more.  The Devils back-up stopped twenty three of twenty four shots to record his second win of the season.


Pittsburgh had more shots on goal, more hits, and won more face-offs than the Devils.  Newark also committed more penalties.  The Penguins were 1 for 3 on the power play.  David Clarkson's second period goal made the Devils a perfect 1 for 1 on the power play.  David had five shots on goal in twenty one shifts to lead the team.  He and Patrick Elias, who assisted on Clarkson's PP goal, are now tied for the team lead with thirteen points.  Ilya Kovalchuk was next in with only three shots on goal in twenty eight shifts.


The Devils now lead the Atlantic Division with nineteen points, three points better than the Pens.  They are also riding a five game win streak in which they defeated the Pens twice, Tampa, the Rangers, and Islanders.  Their lone regular season loss incidentally came against Pittsburgh back on February 2nd.  The Devils are now 8-1-3 for the season.  One quarter of the regular season is now complete.




* Devils Playground Graffiti
Mike.BTB