NEWARK, N.J. —
While Ilya Kovachuk refuses to take credit for the New Jersey Devils’ surge since the All-Star break, his teammates can see that the forward has elevated his game.
Kovalchuk had a goal and two assists, and the Devils extended their winning streak to four games with a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
Anton Volchenkov, Dainius Zubrus, Zach Parise and David Clarkson also scored for the Devils, who remained perfect since the All-Star break while equaling their season-best win streak. Kovalchuk has been the key to the surge with three goals and seven assists in the four games.
“He’s a heart and soul guy,” Clarkson said. “He flies out there. He’s always been a guy who finds the net and makes plays. He’s a positive guy in the room, whether we’re winning or losing. It’s great to see him doing well, and that’s why we’re doing well.”
When asked about his play, Kovalchuk put the focus squarely on the team.
“We’re all playing good,” Kovalchuk said. “Individually, you can’t do much anymore because everybody watches videos and everybody plays a system. You need the five guys on the ice to be on the same page, to play the same way, to be successful.”
But it never hurts to have a star player set the tone.
“Your top players need to be your top players,” said Martin Brodeur who made 28 saves and got an assist on Clarkson’s empty-net goal in the closing seconds. “We ask every guy to chip in every night. He’s doing a lot of things, like killing penalties. He has a lot more responsibility now, and he’s taken it with a positive spin.”
The win moved New Jersey within one point of fifth-place Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference.
Matt Niskanen and Evgeni Malkin scored for the Penguins who had won nine of 10.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was yanked early in the second period after surrendering three goals, ending his nine-game winning streak.
Kovalchuk powered the Devils to a 2-0 lead in the first period.
Cruising all alone in the slot, Kovalchuk whipped a feed from Patrik Elias past Fleury for his team-leading 22nd goal at 2:21.
Kovalchuk was the playmaker on the second tally at 9:33, sending a return pass to Volchenkov in the slot. It was the first goal in 104 games for the defenseman, and his first with the Devils.
Malkin had two quality chances for the Penguins, including one in the closing seconds of the period as Brodeur denied him with a spinning save.
New Jersey increased the lead to 3-0 at 2:28 in the second, getting a short-handed tally from Zubrus that was set up by a terrific effort by Kovalchuk.
The sequence started when Kovalchuk blocked a shot from Paul Martin at the point. Those two battled down the ice for possession with Kovalchuk winning and driving to the net only to be denied by Fleury. Zubrus knocked in the rebound as the Devils scored their league-leading 13th short-handed goal.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma pulled Fleury at that point, sending in Brent Johnson.
“It was a tough one to give up,” Fleury said. “We were trying to come back in the game. There was a still a lot of time to play and the guys battled back.”
The move helped stem the Devils’ momentum and the Penguins cashed in the remaining power play when Niskanen scored at 3:02.
“We gave them a couple of goals and we were playing from behind right from the start,” Niskanen said. “Brodeur is tough to beat. He was pretty good today and that team in general is tough to play against when they have the lead.”
Parise restored the three-goal lead for the Devils with his 20th of the season at 11:33.
In the third, Brodeur maintained the three-goal margin with a stellar stop on James Neal’s shot from the right circle.
Pittsburgh turned up the pressure after Volchenkov was whistled for high-sticking midway through the period, and it paid off when Malkin got his 29th, a power-play goal at 11:43.
Notes: C Adam Henrique returned for the Devils after missing the last three games with a groin injury. To clear roster space, New Jersey returned D Peter Harrold to Albany of the AHL. ... D Adam Larsson (sore back) and C Ryan Carter (hand injury) sat out for New Jersey while RW Cam Janssen was a healthy scratch. ... D Ben Lovejoy and RW Colin McDonald were healthy scratches for Pittsburgh while RW Arron Asham missed a ninth straight game with a concussion.
Pro
Related Photos
-
New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur (30) makes a save on a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins' Chris Kunitz (14) as Mark Fayne (29) looks on during the third period of Sunday's game. The Devils won, 5-2. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Discussion
Brodeur, Devils shut down Penguins
- Pro
-
-
Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
Hit batsman lifts Pirates over Cubs
Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever. -
Generals return to defeat Sting
It’s been a dramatic month for the Johnstown Generals.
There were two postponed games that left the immediate and long-term future of the franchise in serious doubt just two weeks ago. -
Greater Johnstown Speedway failed to win the support of fans
Back in the late 1950’s, the area stock car racing landscape was populated by a very strong and popular three-track weekend circuit, consisting of the Windber Stadium Speedway, Jennerstown Speedway and the Ebensburg Fairgrounds Speedway.
Thus, it came as a major surprise when the announcement was made that a new track, the Greater Johnstown Speedway, would be built and begin operation in 1958. -
Pirates blank struggling Cubs
A.J. Burnett and four relievers worked out of trouble all game and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 10th straight loss with a 1-0 victory on Friday night.
Burnett (3-2) gave up six hits, struck out six and walked two over
5 1⁄3 innings and the National League’s best bullpen made it stand up as the Pirates extended Chicago starter Ryan Dempster’s misery. Joel Hanrahan worked out of a two-on, one out jam in the ninth for his 11th save. -
Game is chance to honor fallen hero
When Joe Lindway saw the UIFL schedule for the Western Pennsylvania Sting earlier this season, his eyes immediately zeroed in on today’s date.
On Memorial Day weekend, the 38-year-old kicker would get a chance to play at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. -
Generals, Sting set to square off
The show will go on.
Jeff Bollinger, owner of the Johnstown Generals and Western Pennsylvania Sting, has been a busy man over the span of 12 days. Those efforts have gone toward getting the squads on the indoor gridiron tonight. -
Steelers rookie has big shoes to fill
Sean Spence walked toward his locker during his first day as a Pittsburgh Steeler last month, saw the number hanging from the hook and couldn’t quite believe it.
Did the Steelers really give him No. 51, the same number worn by longtime defensive captain James Farrior? -
Pirates’ Harrison showing his versatility
Josh Harrison stood in a hallway deep inside PNC Park on Tuesday afternoon, trying to make his way to the field for batting practice.
One problem. His gloves made the going slow. - More Pro Headlines
-
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
