Devils seek more help from goalies against Islanders.
NY Islanders (7-9-2) at New Jersey (9-7-2), 7:00 pm EST
NEWARK, New Jersey Akin to the New York Islanders, the New Jersey Devils have tried to negate the loss of their top goaltender. And despite a string of losses immediately after losing Martin Brodeur, backup netminders Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes have filled in rather nicely.
The Devils put their two-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Atlantic Division rival Islanders on Friday.
With Thursdays 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers, the Devils improved to 4-6-2 in their last 12 games after starting the season 5-1-0.
New Jersey has lost five of eight since Brodeur went down with a torn bicep in his left elbow – not including the game in which the injury occurred – and two of the three wins have come in shootouts.
Clemmensen has started the last three games after Weekes started four of the first five games following Brodeurs injury. Devils coach Brent Sutter did not reveal who will get the nod against the Islanders.
I want to play every game, Clemmensen told the Bergen Record. But Kevin has played well and deserves consideration to play as well every night. I take each game individually. (Thursday), I knew I was going to play and thats it. I tried to do the best I can (Thursday) to earn another chance to play. If its (Friday), thats great. If its Sunday or whenever down the road, then I try to play well then too.
Clemmensen made 23 saves against Florida, but coughed up his chance for his third career NHL shutout on Michael Froliks power-play goal midway through the third period. He was supported by the Devils offense, which posted more than two goals for the second time in six contests.
The Islanders have also gotten help from Joey MacDonald, who was forced into the starting role in the wake of Rick DiPietros knee injury. MacDonald is 7-6-2 with a 2.68 goals-against average in 15 contests and has been a key factor during the teams three-game win streak.
Entering this season with just 17 NHL appearances, MacDonald has yielded just four goals on 102 shots during New Yorks win streak.
The Islanders took both ends of a home-and-home series with the Ottawa Senators last week before skating to a 2-1 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.
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Struggling Sabres look to snap slide.
Philadelphia (7-6-4) at Buffalo (9-6-3), 7:30 p.m. EST
BUFFALO, New York The Buffalo Sabres fast start is just a distant memory.
Buffalo hopes to snap a three-game losing streak when it hosts the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.
After winning their first four games and starting 6-0-1, the Sabres have three wins in their last 11 contests.
Thomas Vanek tallied twice – bringing his team-leading total to 15 goals – and added an assist in the first 12:37 Wednesday, but Buffalo ended up losing, 7-4, at Boston.
Defense has been a problem lately for the Sabres, who have allowed 18 goals in the last three games. Goaltender Ryan Miller surrendered all seven on 20 shots in the loss to Boston and has allowed 22 over his last five starts. The struggles come on the heels of back-to-back shutouts.
The Flyers are 3-0-1 in their last four and are coming off a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Sunday.
Simon Gagne had a goal and two assists and Mike Knuble had a goal and one assist for the Flyers, who are averaging 3.41 goals per game.
Buffalo won three of the four meetings last season.
