When they look inside their status as the last unbeaten road team in the NHL, and inside the league’s longest unbeaten streak this season, the Devils need look no further than their second periods.
As they sought to complete a second straight unbeaten four-game homestand against the Penguins at the Meadowlands last night, the Devils had outscored their opponents 21-8 in the second periods of their first 17 games. In contrast, they had outscored them only 22-21 in their first and third periods.
“Maybe we should switch [home] ends,” Martin Brodeur said.
One possible explanation is that the Devils work the long on-the-fly second-period line changes better than their foes when the benches are farther from their own net.
“We work at it in practice,” Pat Burns said. “We stress the importance of getting to the bench quick. Some guys coast that last five feet, but for the guy coming onto the ice, that’s five feet he’s behind.
“It’s tough for a player who maybe has an opportunity, knowing that if he goes for it, he has to make sure he doesn’t get caught.”
During the 8-0-2 unbeaten streak they sought to extend last night, the Devils had outscored their foes 16-2 in those 10 second periods.
The Penguins, on the other hand, have seen their season deteriorate early, outscored an incredible 26-4 in their first periods en route to a 4-10-3 start.
Mario Lemieux was to miss his eighth straight game last night with a hip injury, and the Penguins stood 1-6 during that stretch without him.
“Less ice-time for me, and that’s a good thing for us,” John Madden said. “The last time we played them, I was way over what I consider a good number [season-high 21:44] for me.
“It’s good because we can roll four lines, which I think is the strength of our team.”
While the Devils’ penalty killing has been remarkable, allowing only six opposition PPGs in 59 times short while scoring three SHGs themselves, the Penguins’ power play has been dismal. Pittsburgh scored eight PPGs in 85 chances, and allowed seven SHGs, meaning the Penguins had given up more goals with the man-advantage than the Devils had while shorthanded.
*
Devils and Marines will collect Toys for Tots Dec. 4 vs Caps. . . . Devils visit Los Angeles Tuesday, Anaheim Wednesday, Dallas Friday and Colorado Sunday. Devs are 4-0-2 on road this season. . . . Jersey hadn’t lost since Oct. 25, beaten by Bruins 5-2 at Meadowlands.