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Penguins try to move closer to Devils

Feb 16, 2007 - 2:39 PM Pittsburgh (30-17-9) at New Jersey (35-16-6) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The streaking Pittsburgh Penguins look to move closer to the New Jersey Devils in the Atlantic Division when the teams meet on Friday.

Pittsburgh is 12-0-2 in its last 14 games. The last time it recorded a point in 15 straight games was in 1992-93.

The Penguins posted a 5-4 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Rookie Evgeni Malkin tied the game, 4-4, late in the third period and notched the decisive tally in the shootout. Malkin has four goals and eight assists in his last eight games, and leads all rookies with 64 points.

Sidney Crosby leads the NHL with 63 assists and 88 points, but has just two points in four contests against the Devils this season.

The Devils are 5-0-1 in their last six after a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Defenseman Brian Rafalski scored twice, while Patrik Elias had a goal and two assists.

Elias has a goal and five assists in four games against Pittsburgh this season. Goaltender Martin Brodeur is 3-1-0 with a 1.76 goals-against average in four starts against the Penguins.

Brodeur made 26 saves in a 3-0 victory over Pittsburgh on December 26.