Brick Beats Iron

Vol. I, No. 18

Brick City 6.  Iron City 0.

Newark beats Pittsburgh in the NHL regular season series.  Here's how it happened.

October 24, NJD 4 - PIT 1 (Away)
November 12, NJD 4 - PIT 1 (Home)
December 21, NJD 4 - PIT 0 (Home)
December 30, NJD 2 - PIT 0 (Away)
March 12, NJD 3 0 PIT 1 (Home)

And last but not least...

St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, in Newark saw the Devils finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5 - 2, in front of a sellout crowd at the Prudential Center.  It was a night filled with red and green, the original "retro" colors of the Devils, which the team wore from 1982 to 1992.

Highlights of the game included Paul Martin's first goal in a year, in his first appearance since an injury-ending game against Pittsburgh on October 24th.  Zach Parise scored a goal, on his knees, beating Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Mark Eaton, in a scrum right in front of the goal.  The picture of that shot went up immediately on NHL Frozen Moments.

The game was the final time these teams will have played each other during the 2009-10 regular season.  Over six games, the Devils have a perfect record against the Stanley Cup Champions.  In other words, the Devs have owned the Penguins this year.  And with last night's victory, the Devils regained possession of the Atlantic Division lead, with 87 points. 

The division lead is an important step for New Jersey's team.  For the first part of the season, the Devs had a commanding edge.  But in January and February, their play deteriorated with a two-month record of 9 wins and 12 losses.  In a slump, the Devils lost the lead as the Penguins continued to get wins and points, against every other division team (except for the Devils).

After last night's St. Patrick's Day massacre, the Devs are now tied with the Pens on points but have one more victory and that makes the difference.  The Devils also have a game in hand, having played one fewer game than the Penguins.  So, if the Devils can continue their high level of play, the Division is truly up for grabs.  Whichever team wins the Division gains home ice advantage in the playoffs.

There are 13 games left for the Devils to play.  The Penguins have 12 left, and are missing #71, Evgeny Malkin, out with a sore foot.  Tonight, the Penguins face the Boston Bruins.  The whole hockey world is likely to be watching, as the Bruins seek revenge for the "Matt Cooke felony-on-ice" incident, two Sundays ago.  If the Penguins emerge with a victory, and without any injuries, it may well be another miracle on ice.

Hockey Rules.