New Jersey Devils continue rolling with fifth straight over Detroit Red Wings 2-1 -NHL Update
New Jersey did not show any mercy when it came to fighting for a fifth straight win as Devils routed Detroit Red Wings, 2-1, achieving the 100 point milestone on Thursday, April 5, 2012, at the sold-out Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Now with everything in place for the playoffs, New Jersey is determined to take this impressive momentum with them into the postseason and make a run for the Stanley Cup championship.
"It's nice to have 100 points. But you throw that out Monday morning because it's time for the playoffs," New Jersey coach, Peter DeBoer, said.
Petr Sykora scored the game-winner for New Jersey with less than nine minute remaining on the third period clock for his 20th of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season.
Detroit was playing their second matchup in two nights after coming from St. Louis with a 3-2 shootout win over second place Blues on Wednesday, which definitely had them tired from the extensive work and travelling.
"I knew it was going to be grinder right from the get go," Detroit coach, Mike Babcock, said. "We were stretched last night to overtime and I thought we really pushed our big players hard last night. I didn't think we had a ton of energy."
Alexei Ponikarovsky potted the first of the night midway through the first while Tomas Holmstrom levelled it with his 11th of the year on a power play as New Jersey was without
Marek Zidlicky due to high-sticking.
Despite a number of disappointments in the month of March, Detroit has managed to grab two wins in the past three contests now and with a injury riddled line-up, it is definitely hectic for the remaining players. Red Wings are determined to go strong in
the playoffs and hope to utilise the home-ice advantage.
"Starting at home and also having that seventh one at home with this crowd, obviously that would be a big deal," said Detroit defenseman, Niklas Kronwall.
New Jersey Devils will be ending the regular season against Ottawa Senators at home on Saturday while Detroit Red Wings host Chicago Blackhawks for the finale on the same day.
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