The Penguins' struggles against the Metropolitan Division in 2024-25 have been well documented. Pittsburgh is just 1-5-1 against the Metro this season, and the newest challenger to the Penguins' hot streak is the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils are 21-11-3 (2nd in Metro) and have boasted a lethal power play which scores 29.2% of the time, good for 2nd best in all the NHL. They sport the highest shot volume in the NHL, which could pose a problem for the Penguins, who give up the 2nd most shots in the league
(ESPN.com).
On top of their elite offensive output, New Jersey has received great seasons from their goaltending tandem, Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen. Allen is coming off his third straight loss in as many starts, so it's reasonable to believe Markstrom will mind the net tonight against the Penguins with his 2.29 goals against average (GAA).
This seems like a nightmare brewing for the Penguins despite the momentum they've gained in the last few weeks. So how does Pittsburgh gut this one out in New Jersey?
Stay out of the box!
A couple stupid penalties in Nashville on Thursday almost thwarted the comeback effort. Thankfully, the penalty kill in combination with Tristan Jarry was up to the task to stay in the game. The Penguins will not be as fortunate against the Devils if they amass 10 penalty minutes again. The Devils are built to make you pay for an errant stick or trying to compensate for poor positioning. You cannot take penalties against this team.
Play in the offensive zone.
Although the shot disparity by the end of the overtime winner in Nashville looks fairly even on paper, the zone the Penguins operated from all night long was the D-zone. Pittsburgh allowed lots of dangerous chances right around their net, and frankly got lucky with how efficient their own scoring was on the rare occasion they were in the offensive zone. Setting the tone and attacking early will be crucial to a winning effort on the road.
Stay hot, Kid.
The stern warning to those who think to try: Don't poke the bear.
Now please understand, Sidney Crosby has been creating goals out of nothing in Pittsburgh's 8-2-1 stretch. His ridiculous vision and connecting passes that have no business connecting highlight this truth. But now The Kid is back on the board in the goals column, and all it takes is one to create a cascade.
It's not like Sid needed another reminder that he hadn't scored in a while, but he did get a reminder before the game. When a reporter approached him regarding his scoring drought, he responded with, "Usually when I'm asked about it, that's when it starts to change...what took you so long?"
All Sidney Crosby needed was a reporter to ask him about his goal-scoring slump. 😂
— NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2024
He's back, folks. pic.twitter.com/43DUont9dH
Superstitions aside, it seems like a load was lifted off Crosby's back when he buried the power play goal on Thursday. Yet instead of celebrating, the Captain made sure Nashville's Michael McCarron was abundantly aware that his shot was in the back of the net after McCarron hit him along the boards moments prior.
Sidney Crosby ends his goal drought and then gives it to Michael McCarron, who laid a hit on him earlier 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZcxRUZkp7v
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 20, 2024
Later, Crosby took a cheap shot to the neck in the 3rd period that sidelined him for a few moments. He responded in classic fashion by, once again, creating a goal - the Karlsson equalizer that sent the game to overtime.
A four point night for The Kid would indicate the bear has been poked.
Opposing teams beware.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm EST from Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.