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Islanders-Devils Preview

Apr 9, 2010 - 6:49 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

New York (34-36-10) at New Jersey (46-27-7), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The New Jersey Devils just wasted a chance to maintain their two-point lead in the Atlantic Division, but they're still in the driver's seat to win it.

A visit from the New York Islanders doesn't figure to change that.

The Devils might have a chance to claim the division title Saturday night, looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss as they host an Islanders team which has dropped five straight at the Prudential Center.

New Jersey (46-27-7) and Pittsburgh have been in a tight battle for the Atlantic lead much of the season, but the Devils gained a major edge Tuesday. The teams entered the night tied with 97 points, but while the Penguins lost 6-3 to Washington, New Jersey won 3-0 in Atlanta.

Two nights later, they again found themselves with identical records. Pittsburgh beat the Islanders 7-3 on Thursday, while the Devils fell 3-2 at Florida despite outshooting the Panthers 44-18.

That advantage kept coach Jacques Lemaire from expressing too much concern.

"We had more chances than we ever did, from every line," Lemaire said. "Their goalie was really good and that's the reason why they won. I don't think we played bad here."

Despite the loss, the Devils could wrap up a second straight Atlantic crown Saturday if they win and Pittsburgh loses in regulation at Atlanta.

However, regardless of how the Penguins fare, New Jersey can clinch the division - and the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed - with wins in its remaining two games. Should the Devils and Penguins finish tied in points and victories, the next tiebreaker is the head-to-head series - which Lemaire's team won 6-0.

"We just have to keep plugging, play as hard as we can, and try to win games," Lemaire said. "Get back on a winning track."

The Islanders (34-36-10) are center stage in determining the winner of the Atlantic, as they'll conclude their season by hosting the Penguins on Sunday after visiting Pittsburgh and New Jersey.

New York's loss Thursday was its eighth straight on the road to the Penguins, and it hasn't had much better luck in Newark. The Islanders have been outscored 19-7 in losing their last five games at New Jersey, allowing the Devils to go 8 for 22 (36.4 percent) on the power play.

The penalty kill has been New York's downfall all season - it's 29th in the league (76.5 percent) - and it hurt coach Scott Gordon's team in Pittsburgh. The Penguins scored one of their four first-period goals with the man advantage - enough to chase Martin Biron - and added another in the second.

"Four goals in the first period is a pretty hard road to come back on," Gordon said.

The Islanders have beaten the Devils twice this season at home, though backup Yann Danis gave Martin Brodeur a breather in New Jersey's 4-2 loss March 13 on Long Island.

Danis had to relieve Brodeur on Jan. 18, though. Matt Moulson scored two goals in the first two periods to chase the four-time Vezina Trophy winner, and New York outshot the Devils 46-20 in a 4-0 win.

The NHL's all-time victories leader will almost certainly start Saturday with the division up for grabs, and may be a bit more difficult to solve on his home ice. Brodeur has a 1.30 goals-against average in his last seven home starts versus New York.

Zach Parise has four goals and five assists during the Devils' home winning streak in the series.