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Devils aim to end four-game skid

Dec 1, 2006 - 2:26 PM Pittsburgh (11-8-4) at New Jersey (12-9-2) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils will be in a rare position when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.

The Devils look to avoid losing five consecutive games for the first time since dropping six in a row from November 2-14, 2000.

New Jersey went 0-3-1 after beginning its recent five-game road trip with a 2-1 triumph in Toronto. The Devils concluded their trip with a 3-2 overtime loss at Los Angeles on Monday.

Brian Gionta and Travis Zajac scored for the Devils, who were unable to hold a 2-1 lead late in the third period.

Pittsburgh has not been that great lately either, going 1-1-2 in its last four. However, the Penguins did win their last game, a 3-2 triumph over the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

Colby Armstrong, who scored his first two goals of the season, tied the game, 2-2, midway through the second period. Chris Thorburn scored the game-winner just 36 seconds into the third period and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 35 shots for the Penguins.