This Devils’ winning streak is the Monster from the Bottom of the Atlantic. Those are the depths from which they have risen, a junior juggernaut.
Brent Sutter’s boys will try to match the franchise’s third-longest winning streak when they seek a ninth straight triumph tonight, facing the NHL-worst Capitals in Newark.
It’s far cry from the 7-10-2 record they had when they started this run Nov. 17.
“A little out of nowhere,” new captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. “The reason it came out of nowhere is that we’re doing the right things now.”
“Out of the blue,” said Martin Brodeur, who will make his 11th straight start tonight. “It’s been a good run, and the guys deserve it. We’ve been getting wins in different ways.”
Their last two have come by the shootout over Atlanta and in overtime over the Bruins, on Patrik Elias’ winner.
Traditional hockey wisdom says streaks start ending before they’re done, that warnings fly. Coming back from a three-goal deficit to Boston was impressive, but yielding that first period margin is suspicious, particularly that it was the first time they’d allowed three in a game during this streak.
“It makes us aware that we’re not invincible,” Brodeur said. “In a winning streak, you get away with things because you’re hot. You’re not paying the price [by losing], but you’re close to paying that price. The thing is, right now, we have guys performing to keep the streak going.”
Leading that group is Zach Parise, 9-8-17 in the eight-game run, and 5-3-8 in the last three. He leads the Devils with 32 points, while Brian Gionta is second with 20. Brodeur started the streak with his 500th victory and added his 94th shutout. Elias was shifted to center in the 1-0 loss to the Islanders that preceded the streak, and the Devils have had a No. 1 line again.
They’ll try to sweep this five-game homestand tonight, after sweeping a four-game road trip, before visiting the Garden Sunday and Washington Monday. The team record winning streak is 13 games, in that magical 2000-01 season as defending champs ” accomplished without shootouts. Aided by shootouts, they had streaks of 11 and nine in 2005-06, after Elias returned from hepatitis and Lou Lamoriello took over as coach.
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Kool-Aid, anyone? Word is Barry Melrose will be touring Newark and the arena today after ripping the city and rink last month. Wonder if the happy bus will venture to the south and west parts of town? . . . The Devils will honor Scott Stevens tonight for his induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame. . . . Arron Asham sat out practice, resting his sore right hand and wrist (fights).