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Devils, Penguins battle for top spot in Atlantic Division

Mar 22, 2008 - 1:21 PM New Jersey (42-25-7) at Pittsburgh (42-25-7) 7:30 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - The New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins are deadlocked for first place in the Atlantic Division.

One of these teams will take sole possession of the division lead on Saturday when the slumping Devils visit the surging Penguins.

New Jersey failed to seize control of the top spot in the division and the Eastern Conference on Friday, suffering a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders. Travis Zajac scored the lone goal for the Devils, who suffered their third loss in their last five games.

Pittsburgh bounced back from a loss with a 4-2 victory over the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Evgeni Malkin scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Penguins to their fourth consecutive win at home.

Despite their recent success, the Penguins are just 2-3-1 against the Devils this season with all four losses coming by just one goal. New Jersey has also won each of the last five meetings at Mellon Arena.

Pittsburgh won't get any help from All-Star Sydney Crosby, who remains out with an injured ankle. Crosby has three goals and three assists in four games against the Devils this season.

Should Montreal lose in regulation to Boston on Saturday, the winner of this game will take over first in the conference.