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Pens close out home schedule versus Devils

Apr 5, 2011 - 3:11 PM (Sports Network) - The playoff-bound Pittsburgh Penguins will try to record a win in their final home game of the regular season, as they host the rival New Jersey Devils in tonight's Atlantic Division clash at CONSOL Energy Center.

While the Devils were recently eliminated from playoff contention, the fourth- seeded Penguins have not only qualified for the postseason, but they also still have a shot at winning the division title.

Pittsburgh enters today trailing Philadelphia by three points (103-100) for the Atlantic lead with three games remaining for both clubs. However, the Flyers can clinch the division crown with a win tonight in Ottawa and a loss of any kind by the Penguins. Philadelphia could also wrap up the division if they get a point tonight and Pittsburgh loses in regulation.

The Pens are also one point ahead of Tampa Bay for the Eastern Conference's fourth seed. The Lightning, who play tonight in Buffalo, also have three games left in the regular season. Neither Pittsburgh nor the Lightning can fall further than fifth in the conference standings.

The Penguins ended a two-game slide with Saturday's regulation win at Florida. Zbynek Michalek tallied the go-ahead goal in the third period and Jordan Staal recorded three assists as Pittsburgh topped the Panthers, 4-2, at BankAtlantic Center.

Tyler Kennedy, Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams each notched a goal for Pittsburgh while Brent Johnson gave Marc-Andre Fleury a rest and stopped 28 shots for the victors.

"It was huge. Obviously it's 100 points ... but it's two points on the road, which is always a good thing," said Johnson.

The Penguins, who opened the CONSOL Energy Center earlier this season, are 24-14-2 in the inaugural campaign at the new building. Pittsburgh will close the regular season with road tests against the New York Islanders and Atlanta.

The fact that the Devils are simply playing out the string is an odd sight, considering the club last missed the postseason in the spring of 1996. However, New Jersey was officially eliminated from the playoff conversation with a 3-1 home loss Saturday against Montreal.

Mathieu Darche scored twice and Carey Price made 20 saves as Montreal downed the Devils at Prudential Center.

Ilya Kovalchuk produced the lone tally for the Devils, while Martin Brodeur allowed three goals on 29 shots for the loss.

With four games left in the season, the Devils will alternate road and home games the rest of the way. New Jersey is just 16-21-2 as the visiting team this season.

Pittsburgh has taken three of five meetings with the Devils this season, but after sweeping the season series last year, New Jersey has still won eight of the last 11 encounters between the clubs. The Devils are 0-1-1 so far at CONSOL Energy Center.