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Devils seek more help from goalies against Islanders

Nov 21, 2008 - 11:33 AM NY Islanders (7-9-2) at New Jersey (9-7-2), 7:00 pm EST

NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Akin to the New York Islanders, the New Jersey Devils have tried to negate the loss of their top goaltender. And despite a string of losses immediately after losing Martin Brodeur, backup netminders Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes have filled in rather nicely.

The Devils put their two-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Atlantic Division rival Islanders on Friday.

With Thursday's 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers, the Devils improved to 4-6-2 in their last 12 games after starting the season 5-1-0.

New Jersey has lost five of eight since Brodeur went down with a torn bicep in his left elbow - not including the game in which the injury occurred - and two of the three wins have come in shootouts.

Clemmensen has started the last three games after Weekes started four of the first five games following Brodeur's injury. Devils coach Brent Sutter did not reveal who will get the nod against the Islanders.

"I want to play every game," Clemmensen told the Bergen Record. "But Kevin has played well and deserves consideration to play as well every night. I take each game individually. (Thursday), I knew I was going to play and that's it. I tried to do the best I can (Thursday) to earn another chance to play. If it's (Friday), that's great. If it's Sunday or whenever down the road, then I try to play well then too."

Clemmensen made 23 saves against Florida, but coughed up his chance for his third career NHL shutout on Michael Frolik's power-play goal midway through the third period. He was supported by the Devils' offense, which posted more than two goals for the second time in six contests.

The Islanders have also gotten help from Joey MacDonald, who was forced into the starting role in the wake of Rick DiPietro's knee injury. MacDonald is 7-6-2 with a 2.68 goals-against average in 15 contests and has been a key factor during the team's three-game win streak.

Entering this season with just 17 NHL appearances, MacDonald has yielded just four goals on 102 shots during New York's win streak.

The Islanders took both ends of a home-and-home series with the Ottawa Senators last week before skating to a 2-1 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.