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Devils-Bruins Preview

Oct 29, 2009 - 4:52 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

New Jersey (6-3-0) at Boston (5-4-1), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The New Jersey Devils can't seem to solve their struggles at home. Fortunately, they've been perfect on the road.

The short-handed Devils look to bounce back from a poor effort and remain undefeated as a visitor Thursday night when they meet the Boston Bruins, who are dealing with injury issues as well.

In its first game without defenseman Paul Martin (broken left arm) and left wing Jay Pandolfo (separated right shoulder), each of whom are expected to miss at least four weeks, New Jersey (6-4-0) was lackluster in a 4-1 loss to Buffalo on Wednesday.

During their lowest-scoring game of the season, the Devils gave up more than two goals for only the second time in the last seven games.

"Obviously, they came out strong, more prepared, the way we should have been," defenseman Johnny Oduya said.

Andy Greene scored on the power play and Martin Brodeur made 23 saves for New Jersey, which fell to 1-4-0 at home.

On the road, though, it's a different story. New Jersey is 5-0-0 in opponent's rinks this season with Brodeur posting a 1.95 goals-against average.

Brodeur, the all-time wins leader who remains one shutout shy of tying Terry Sawchuk's NHL record of 103, has won seven of his last nine starts against Boston (5-4-1), posting a 2.07 GAA. After missing four months following elbow surgery, he made only one start against the Bruins last season, stopping 26 shots in a 4-1 road loss on March 22.

The Devils have alternated wins and losses in their last six visits to Boston.

The Bruins have shown consistency can be a problem for them so far. They're looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season following a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over Ottawa on Saturday.

The Bruins scored twice in the final 1:28 in regulation to tie the game and Patrice Bergeron scored the lone shootout goal. Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas made 27 saves through overtime for his fourth win of the season.

"I thought we were going to lose once we were down 3-1 with two minutes left," Thomas said. "You never give, but I don't think anybody in the building expected that."

Thomas, who has won his last two starts, was 2-1-1 with a 1.50 goals-against average last season against the Devils.

Boston also lost two key players recently. Forwards Marc Savard (broken foot) and Milan Lucic (broken finger) are expected to miss at least the next month.

After a slow start, the Bruins believe they're ready to get on a roll after coming away with points in their last three games.

"It's one of those things where we've always been underdogs every year ... and we've worked our way up," coach Claude Julien told the Bruins' official Web site. "And now expectations are high and you need to know how to handle those things."