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Devils seek season-best fifth straight win

Nov 26, 2008 - 11:15 AM New Jersey (11-7-2) at Florida (8-11-1) 7:30 p.m. EST

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils initially struggled without star goaltender Martin Brodeur. However, it appears they have begun to figure out how to win without the four-time Vezina Trophy winner.

Looking to extend their season-high, four-game win streak, the Devils continue their five-game road trip against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.

Dainus Zubrus tied the team record with four goals and helped the Devils topple the Tampa Bay Lightning, 7-3, on Sunday. Goaltender Scott Clemmensen continued his strong play in the wake of Brodeur's elbow injury by making 26 saves.

If Clemmensen starts, he'll be going for his fourth victory of the season, which would be a career-high.

His next appearance will be his seventh of the season, which would be the second-most NHL games he's played in one season in his career behind 2005-06, when he played 13 games overall, including six in a row when Brodeur was out with a sprained MCL in his right knee.

Clemmensen is 3-2-0 with a 2.60 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.

However, Kevin Weekes, who made 25 saves en route to his 100th career victory in the Devils' 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Friday, could get the nod from coach Brent Sutter.

With both reserve netminders stepping up, combined with the elevated efforts from players on offense such as Zubrus, the Devils have maintained their winning ways despite injuries to Bobby Holik, Brian Rolston, defenseman Andy Greene and most recently, penalty-killing specialist John Madden.

Florida snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.

The Panthers did, however, lose a key player as right wing Richard Zednik left in the second period with a left arm injury and did not return. Florida coach Peter DeBoer claims Zednik will miss a few weeks.