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Bruins-Devils Preview

Mar 30, 2010 - 3:26 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Boston (34-28-12) at New Jersey (44-26-5), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The New Jersey Devils were overwhelmed by a playoff-hungry team in their last game. They'll try to be better prepared Tuesday night when they host another club fighting for a postseason berth.

With a chance to climb atop the Atlantic Division and take over second place in the Eastern Conference, the Devils look to bounce back from one of their worst efforts in weeks as they face a Boston Bruins team clinging to a playoff spot.

After clinching its 13th straight postseason berth Saturday with a 4-2 victory in Montreal, New Jersey (44-26-5) was routed 5-1 in Philadelphia on Sunday. That matched the highest goal total allowed by the Devils this season, and it was the first time they'd given up five since March 5.

"(The Flyers) jumped out of the gate real strong. It was a bit overwhelming, perhaps," said Martin Brodeur, who was pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots through two periods. "We're facing a team gunning for you and they have no choice. They are playing for their playoff lives."

Two points ahead of ninth-place Atlanta, Boston (34-29-12) faces a similar must-win scenario after dropping two of three on a homestand that ended with a 3-2 loss to Northeast Division-leading Buffalo on Monday.

The Bruins have won their last two road games by a 9-2 margin but return to the Prudential Center trying for their first win over the Devils this season. New Jersey won the previous three meetings by one goal apiece, and it's in position to sweep the season series for the first time since 2005-06.

A victory not only lifts New Jersey into a first-place divisional tie with idle Pittsburgh, it will move the Devils into second in the East because they'd have one more win than the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

New Jersey goes for its third consecutive home win over the Bruins after posting a 3-2 victory on March 15. Rob Niedermayer, David Clarkson and Zach Parise staked the Devils to a 3-0 lead in that matchup, chasing Tim Thomas after the first period.

It's doubtful that New Jersey will get another shot against the reigning Vezina Trophy winner after Thomas gave up three goals on 14 shots and was pulled for the sixth time this season Monday. He was booed by the hometown crowd during his early exit.

Tuukka Rask, who stopped all 19 shots he faced after replacing Thomas against the Sabres, is 0-0-1 with a 0.58 goals-against average in two games versus New Jersey this season.

He could present a challenge for Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who was named the NHL's third star Monday after scoring three goals with five assists last week.

Kovalchuk, who is one assist shy of 300, needs one goal to reach 40 for the sixth consecutive season.

Despite an uncharacteristically poor effort Sunday, Brodeur is expected to get the start Tuesday. He has a 1.44 GAA in two starts against Boston this season and is 9-2-0 with a 1.96 GAA in his last 11 starts against the Bruins.

The Devils are 7-2-0 at home versus the Bruins since the beginning of the 2005-06 season.