Stefan Matteau, Adam Henrique, and Bobby Butler each scored a goal, Martin Brodeur made 27 saves, and the New Jersey Devils snapped Pittsburgh’s five game win streak, defeating the Penguins 3-1. With the win, they move one point ahead of the Penguins for the division, and conference, lead.
The game, particularly for the Penguins, was as messy as the weather 12 hours prior in New Jersey. Pittsburgh gave ten power play opportunities to the Devils, who scored two power play goals late in the game.
Up until the third period, the Penguins were perfect on their penalty kill, much like their last road game on Tuesday where they killed all seven New York Islanders power plays. But it was a continuous string of penalties throughout the third that eventually led to Adam Henrique’s game winner.
The Penguins started off the game looking like a team that was on a hot streak. Dan Bylsma paired Evgeni Malkin with Sidney Crosby to start the game. It led to a David Clarkson tripping penalty 44 seconds into the game and the Penguins’ second power play unit scored 39 seconds later.
Simon Despres took a slap shot from the left point that was deflected past Brodeur by Brandon Sutter who was parked in front.
From that point on, the game was a mess for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin took an interference penalty. Joe Vitale was called for board less than a minute after Malkin’s penalty expired. Robert Bortuzzo took a roughing penalty late in the first that was killed off. Deryk Engelland fought Krys Barch after David Clarkson hit Sidney Crosby away from the puck.
The Penguins took two more penalties in the second period and had a hard time gaining any rhythm. They went the first eight minutes without a shot, and the Devils were able to tie the game late in the period. Stefan Matteau scored his first NHL goal with three and a half minutes remaining in the period. Andy Greene sent a cross ice pass to Matteau who delayed on the shot. As a result, Marc-Andre Fleury over committed to the pass, anticipating a one-timer, and Matteau was able to flip it over the goaltender to tie the game at one.
The Penguins had a chance to regain the lead with under a minute remaining in the period. Martin Brodeur left the crease to get his stick as both sides were changing lines. Evgeni Malkin shot the puck from the blue line as Brodeur scrambled back to his net. The puck hit off the near post, off of Brodeur’s skate, then off the far post before squibbing out of the crease.
In the third period, the Penguins melted down from a discipline standpoint, taking six penalties. Evgeni Malkin took two penalties, while James Neal, Tanner Glass, and Paul Martin each took a minor. The Devils capitalized mid-way through the third, when Adam Henrique put home a rebound off the crossbar.
Even when the Devils had the lead, the Penguins continued their march into the box. Less than three minutes after Henrique’s goal, Bobby Butler wristed a shot past the left blocker of Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Penguins got a power play opportunity late in the game but Brodeur was able to stand tall, making key saves including a point-blank glove save on Evgeni Malkin.
- This marked the 1200th game played by Brodeur, who now has 46 career wins against the Penguins; third most vs. opponent (Islanders, Rangers.)
- The Penguins took ten penalties for the first time since Dec 11, 2007, an 8-2 loss to the Flyers.
- After getting off to a slow start, Brandon Sutter has a five game point streak (3 g, 2 a).
- Adam Henrique
- Bobby Butler
- Stefan Matteau
