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Devils try to build momentum in Carolina

Jan 1, 2011 - 4:28 PM (Sports Network) - The New Jersey Devils were able to end 2010 on a positive note and will try to carry that success into the new calendar year when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at RBC Center.

The Devils are last in the NHL with just 22 points and a 10-25-2 record, but the club was able to halt a six-game losing streak with a 3-1 home win over Atlanta on New Year's Eve. However, New Jersey has still lost nine straight on the road and is just 4-14-0 as the visiting team this season.

Johan Hedberg gave Martin Brodeur a rare night off and he stopped 28 shots against his former team to help New Jersey defeat the Thrashers at Prudential Center.

Mark Fayne and Jamie Langenbrunner each had a goal for the Devils. Ilya Kovalchuk tallied a rare goal in the third against the cub that drafted him first overall back in 2001.

It was also the first win for New Jersey interim head coach Jacques Lemaire, who was hired last week when John MacLean was let go. The team was 0-3-0 coming into the game under Lemaire, who guided the team to its first Stanley Cup title in 1995 and is in his third stint with the club.

Devils defenseman Colin White missed Friday's game with an illness and is not expected to make the trip to Carolina.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have won their last two games and recently closed out December with Wednesday's 4-0 triumph in Ottawa. Carolina, which enters tonight six points out of a playoff berth in the East, had its best month of the 2010-11 season in December, posting a 7-4-1 record in 12 games.

Cam Ward stopped all 37 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season in Wednesday's impressive victory over the Senators at Scotiabank Place. Ward is 5-7-1 with a 2.61 goals-against average in 13 career games against the Devils.

Zach Boychuk had two goals while Patrick Dwyer added a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Erik Cole scored the other goal in the win.

"I really wanted to make an impression cause I was moved up to the third line," said Boychuk. "There was an injury that opened up an opportunity for me and I wanted to take advantage of that to show what I can do."

The Hurricanes played Wednesday without forward Jussi Jokinen (upper body) and defenseman Joni Pitkanen (lower body). Both players are questionable for tonight's tilt.

Carolina is kicking off the 2011 calendar year on a two-game homestand and is just 7-7-1 at RBC Center this season.

Tonight marks the first of four scheduled meetings between Carolina and the Devils this season. New Jersey took three out of four from the 'Canes last season and the Devils have 12 victories over the last 18 encounters between the clubs.

New Jersey had lost four in a row in Raleigh before ending that slide with a 4-0 win at the RBC Center on April 3.