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Devils hope to extend win streak, hand Islanders 15th straight loss

Nov 26, 2010 - 3:54 PM (Sports Network) - Having posted consecutive wins for the first time this season, the New Jersey Devils will take aim at three in a row when they visit the free-falling New York Islanders today at Nassau Coliseum.

The Devils are just three points ahead of the Islanders for last place in both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference, but New Jersey is coming off victories this week against Washington and Calgary.

New York, meanwhile, has lost a club-record 14 straight games (0-11-3) since its last win on Oct. 21. The Isles are also 0-2-2 since Jack Capuano took over for a fired Scott Gordon last week.

Today, the Islanders will be trying to avoid another dubious club record as the franchise's longest stretch without a win is 15 games. That mark was set from Nov. 22-Dec. 23, 1999, and featured three ties.

This afternoon's matchup marks the first of six meetings between the Devils and Isles this season. New Jersey took four of six from New York last season and has nine wins in the last 13 encounters overall. However, the Devils have lost four of five and seven of their last 10 at the Coliseum.

The Devils are coming off Wednesday's shootout win over the Flames. Ilya Kovalchuk netted the only goal in the decisive phase, lifting New Jersey to a 2-1 victory. Today, the Devils will be aiming for their first three-game win streak since Jan. 2-9 of last season.

Johan Hedberg turned away 25 shots before stopping all three he faced during the shootout to notch the win for the Devils. David Clarkson scored New Jersey's only regulation goal.

"Both teams were desperate for a win," Kovalchuk said. "I think that's usually how these kind of games end. I think we're playing with way more confidence. The way that Hedberg has played the last two games, it gives you the latitude to go and make plays."

Hedberg is expected to get the start in net again tonight as Martin Brodeur continues to nurse a bruised elbow. The Swedish veteran is 6-5-1 with a tie in 14 lifetime appearances against the Islanders.

New Jersey captain Jamie Langenbrunner has missed the last six games with a neck injury and the veteran forward is questionable for today's tilt.

The Islanders' most recent setback came in overtime Wednesday against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. Jakub Voracek scored on a rebound with 2:29 left in OT to lift the Jackets to the win.

Trent Hunter, Michael Grabner and Frans Nielsen all had two points for the Isles and Rick DiPietro stopped 34-of-38 shots in the loss.

"We did some good things and had some good chances, but again we didn't come up with the win," said Islanders forward P.A. Parenteau.

Like the Devils, the Islanders have been without their captain recently and Doug Weight may miss his fourth straight game today. The 39-year-old Weight, who has nine points in 18 games this year, is suffering from back spasms.

The Islanders have lost five straight on home ice and are 2-4-2 as the host this year. New York will close a three-game homestand when it faces the rival New York Rangers on Thursday.

The Devils have lost their last three road tests and are 4-8-0 as the visiting team this year.