Atlantic rivals set to faceoff

December 26, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

It will be a battle of Atlantic rivals when the Devils play host to the Penguins tonight at The Rock. Despite playing two less games, it’s the Devs who enter with one more point (41) in the standings than a Pittsburgh team who scores more (113 GF) and gives up more (102 GA) due to having the top two scorers in the league in Evgeni Malkin (15-43-58) and Sidney Crosby (14-33-47).

The Devils are also scoring more (99 GF) while continuing to play responsibly in their end (84 GA) which helps explain journeyman Scott Clemmensen’s resurrection. In their case, the sum is better than the parts with Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya leading a no-name D which more often than not gets the job done clearing the front of the net. It would be nice if one of their closest rivals who they’ll visit tomorrow took note.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Zach Parise is tied for third in the league in scoring entering with 40 points (18-22-40) while the resurgent Patrik Elias is up to 37 points (16-21-37) playing his most inspired hockey since he teamed with now Pen Petr Sykora and current Predator Jason Arnott to form the A Line.

Also stepping up have been Brian Gionta and Travis Zajac giving the Devs two balanced scoring lines while the underrated grind line centered by Bobby Holik and flanked by David Clarkson plus Brian Rolston have been chipping in.

Suddenly, Brent Sutter is a Jack Adams candidate having gotten his team to buy into a more aggressive style which should only benefit them further when Martin Brodeur returns in less than two months.

The Pens have been up and down lately but should provide a good test following the two-day Christmas Break. With the Rangers on tap tomorrow night at the Garden, New Jersey looks to continue its steady play already posting seven division wins- just six off last season’s total.

The struggling Islanders are also in action hosting the Maple Leafs in a battle of teams going in opposite directions. While the Isles have dropped 10 straight, the Leafs are playing well winning three of five and sitting 11th in the conference three points out of the final spot.

Rookie Jeremy Williams has been scoring and Jason Blake has reemerged. For the Isles, they’re just looking to get back in the win column with their 23 points dead last in the NHL and very much in play for John Tavares.

Only the Rangers are idle tonight in the Atlantic with the Flyers visiting Chicago in what should be a good game between two teams fourth in their respective conferences. A Philly win would tie them with the Rangers atop the Atlantic having played two fewer games.

Other games on tap include:

Sabres @ Capitals- A good test for Buffalo even tho the Caps still have guys out.

Lightning @ Panthers- Battle of Florida with the Panthers playing well sitting in 10th a point out while Steven Stamkos continues to prove Barry Melrose right.

Hurricanes @ Thrashers- The Canes are tied with the Sabres at 37 points with Cam Ward proving healthy. They’re a hard team to figure out.

Red Wings @ Predators- Detroit is quietly sneaking up on San Jose seven behind while the Preds continue to overachieve under Barry Trotz ranking ninth.

Oilers @ Canucks- A Western Canada battle with Mats Sundin on deck for the ‘Nucks.

Coyotes @ Kings- Two Pacific rivals get together for what should be entertaining hockey with both surprisingly better than expected with the ‘Yotes in if the playoffs started today.

Enjoy tonight’s action!