Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Evgeni Malkin’s early third-period marker
was the lone offense of the contest as Pittsburgh topped New Jersey, 1-0, at
CONSOL Energy Center.
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 shots to record his league-best fifth shutout of
the season for the Penguins, who have won two in a row and four of their last
five.
Cory Schneider made 22 saves for the Devils, who have lost a season-high five
straight games.
Malkin snapped the scoreless deadlock at 2:32 of the third period, sliding up
the slot untouched, taking Blake Comeau’s turnaround feed and beating
Schneider through the pads.
Malkin was given a roughing minor and 10-minute misconduct with 4:33 left in
regulation but the Devils only had one quality chance on the advantage.
The visitors skated 6-on-5 in the final 1:10 of regulation to no avail.
There were 11 total shots in an uneventful opening period, but Fleury produced
a highlight. He dove out to stop a Damian Brunner chance, but the puck beat
him, clanged off the near post and slid back under him.
Brandon Sutter was denied by Schneider on a short-handed break early in the
second, one of nine stops by the New Jersey netminder. Fleury came up with 13
stops.
Game Notes
Devils center Scott Gomez made his season debut and New Jersey re-debut after
signing an undisclosed contract on Monday. The 34-year-old played 22:10 and
was credited with one shot and one hit … Penguins forward Chris Kunitz did
not play due to an undisclosed injury, while Crosby did suit up despite
missing a morning practice due to illness … Prior to the game, the Pens
recalled forward Scott Wilson and defenseman Brian Dumoulin from Wilkes-
Barre/Scranton of the AHL … Devils forward Stephen Gionta left the game in
the second period after being struck in the skate with a puck and did not
return … New Jersey winger Jaromir Jagr left the game late in the second
period after absorbing a hit to the head from Pens defenseman Robert Bortuzzo
and did not return.
