The victory raised the Penguins’ record to 34-23-8 and hoisted them into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Detroit.
Advertisement
Backup goalie Matt Murray made 17 saves as the Penguins rebounded from a lackluster 4-2 loss to Calgary at home. “They have a hard-checking game and they are tough to play against, so it was as big a response (for us) as you could ask for”.
Kinkaid said he put too much pressure on himself leading into his start Sunday and that pressure isn’t likely to dissipate as the Devils grow more desperate for points over their final 15 games. Given that his team’s playoff chances took a major hit the past few weeks, Schneider probably won’t be rushed back into action and may even be done for the season.
Danis has played in 53 career National Hockey League games, including 12 with the Devils as Martin Brodeur’s backup in 2009-10. About two minutes after the penalties expired, Malkin scored his second of the game to make it 4-1 and set the blowout in motion. “I think that goes for everybody in here”.
Evgeni Malkin put them in front to stay at 9:14, when he drove a slap shot past Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid from the right dot for his 26th of the season.
“We have a lot of confidence in Keith”, Devils coach John Hynes said. “For those two guys to step the way they did in such an important game for us, it was important for us”.
NOTES: Crosby now has a five-game point streak (3 goals, 6 assists)…Penguins LW Carl Hagelin was scratched after waking up and not feeling well.
Playing in his first game since being acquired at the trade deadline, Schultz performed well in his new sweater. He was hurt against Calgary and passed the concussion protocol….
Advertisement
With Scott Wedgewood currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, the only other healthy goaltender in the organization is Ken Appleby, who was signed by the Devils an as undrafted free agent after he attended training camp this season as a tryout and now is Albany’s No. 1.
