Pittsburgh Penguins Fall to New Jersey Devils: Just One of Those Games

In a battle between the netminders, Brodeur shone and Fleury broke down.

It was as simple as that and the reason why the Devils were able to stymie the Pens' seven game winning streak.

Good discipline and game-leading shot and hit totals wouldn't be enough for the Pens to steal away another win like they did the night before.

As for the Devils, the only thing that didn't go their way was Goligoski's goal that prevented Brodeur's 103rd career shutout.  Everything else about their game sparkled as they continued their away game undefeated streak.

The Pens started their attack very quickly, surely to avoid getting caught playing catch-up like they did the previous night, but I felt problems begin to arise when we neared the 10th minute of play and Fleury had yet to see a shot.

It would have been worth playing weak in the beginning so Fleury could make a save and bring him back to reality after having the Florida game off.

Needless to say, the Pens couldn't score in those early minutes and the Devils proceeded to score on their first shot on net.

I don't think nightmare goal could even begin to describe that goal.

Fraser took an innocent shot that ricocheted off Fleury's stick and when he tried to glove it out of the air, he pulled a Cam Ward and the puck tipped the glove and went in the net.

When Fleury let rebound pass between his legs and sit for what felt like an hour in the blue paint before a Bergfors tip-in, I knew it would be one of those games.

Lemaire had the Devils play his neutral zone trap perfectly and the Pens fell into the trap as they couldn't get their offense rolling. 

Any time it did start rolling, Brodeur stood tall in the crease.

You can't beat that.

The Pens were very disciplined in the game but their penalty kill was lacking as the Devils went 1-2 on the man advantage.

The Pens went 0-5 mainly because Brodeur wouldn't give up the rebound.

Gonchar, please get well soon.

I, however, am very happy that Goligoski was taking his shot from the point.  I believe he had three of the Pens' five shots on the power play.

So the Devils clearly won the special teams battle.

Though I don't like to get in the habit of blaming netminders for losses, I have to put this on Fleury.

Those first two goals really had no business making it by him.

No business.

Fleury is one who is able to shake off a soft goal by making a big save.

The only problem was that he never had to make a big save.  The Pens were sound defensively save a few hiccups.

This definitely messed with Fleury's game.

His postgame interview is all the proof you need.

On a positive note, I thought Kunitz had a fabulous game. It doesn't even matter that he hasn't scored a goal yet and I'm sure he understands that.

That first goal is coming, though, and he's hungry for it. 

Those four shots in the first period make that clear.

The only two moments save Goligoski's goal that I enjoyed were Cooke's monstrous hit on Salvadore and Malkin playing leap frog with Brodeur shortly thereafter.

My final random note is that it's good to see Crosby is back to his playmaking role while adding the scoring touch.  He was creating chances left and right but Brodeur was just too good to beat.

Overall, a soft game from the Pens, namely Fleury. 

It was going to happen sooner or later.

I do have faith that the Pens will put this game behind them and face Montreal on Wednesday with fresh bodies and attitudes.