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Goaltenders Martin Brodeur and Al Montoya will oppose one another as the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders hit the ice in an Atlantic Division clash on Sunday afternoon at Nassau Coliseum.

Brodeur, who will make his fourth consecutive start for the Devils, is 16-19-2 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. Brodeur is 6-0 in his last six starts, including 3-0 since coming back from a sprained MCL injury that sidelined him for nine games.

Montoya comes into action 5-2-1 with a 1.94 goals against and a .931 save percentage.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Two months ago, everything that could go wrong did go wrong for New Jersey Devils superstars Ilya Kovalchuk and Martin Brodeur.

Since then, however, everything that can go right has gone right for the Devils' dynamic duo.

Kovalchuk and Brodeur’s second-half surge continued on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd at the Prudential Center. Kovalchuk scored his second winner in as many games -- this one with 24.9 seconds remaining in overtime -- and Brodeur made 25 saves as the Devils won for the 11th time in their last 12 games, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1.

"Marty was really good," interim coach Jacques Lemaire said. "Not as much Kovy, but he scored a big goal. Again, that's why he's getting paid. But Marty was on top of his game."

Two months ago, Kovalchuk and Brodeur were regarded as two of the biggest disappointments in the NHL. After a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 8 that dropped the Devils to 10-29-2 at the halfway point of the season, Kovalchuk had just 20 points. Brodeur’s record stood at 5-18-1.

That was when the team's confidence was at an all-time low. These days it's at an all-time high.

Once 27 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Devils have ripped off 19 wins in their last 23 games to move within nine points of the Carolina Hurricanes and 10 points of the New York Rangers. During that time span, Kovalchuk has amassed 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists), while Brodeur has sported an 11-1-1 mark.

"Those two guys are our difference makers," winger Brian Rolston said. "Right now, they're playing like it."

Kovalchuk, 27, buried his sixth game-winner in his last 12 games on Friday night, blasting a power-play slap shot from the left circle by sprawling Pittsburgh goaltender Brent Johnson. Almost immediately after the puck hit the back of the net a jubilant Kovalchuk skated to center ice pumping his fists. Then he was mobbed by his teammates.

These days, it's become a familiar sight.

"I'm sure I've seen [a run this good] for sure. Not on our team, though,” Brodeur said. "[Kovalchuk] has been playing well. I think his work ethic makes a big difference. Not that he wasn't working hard, but there's more structure around him. He's able to do what he does out there. He's playing a hard 27 minutes around. He's skating hard, carrying the puck. There was a lot of expectations earlier in the season."

An inspired Kovalchuk, a Kovalchuk who plays two-way hockey, is finally living up to them.

So is Brodeur.

It seems like just yesterday everyone was talking about how the winningest netminder in NHL history was done. Now, they're wondering if the 38-year-old will ever begin to show his age again between the pipes. He's now 6-0 in his last six starts, 3-0 since coming back from the MCL sprain in his right knee that sidelined him for the previous nine games.

On a night when the Devils weren't at their best defensively, it was Brodeur coming up with clutch save after clutch save late in the third period, paving the way for Kovalchuk to eventually play hero -- again.

"Marty was phenomenal tonight," Kovalchuk said. "He came up with some huge saves for us. We didn’t really have our jump tonight, and Marty was able to bail us out."

In the first half of the season, there were days when no one was going to bail the Devils out of a hole.

They'd get down a goal and then fold like a cheap suit.

These days, that’s just not the case. Lemaire won’t allow it to happen. His players -- especially Kovalchuk and Brodeur -- are too confident for it to happen.

The Devils have become masters of winning the one-goal game. Since Feb. 1, New Jersey is 11-1-1 in games decided by a goal.

"It's nice," Kovalchuk said of the run. "That’s all the game's about. Emotions and winning. Everyone's gonna sleep well tonight."

Recap | Box score | Photos

WHAT IT MEANS: Ilya Kovalchuk did it again. Kovalchuk's second game-winner in as many games -- this one with 24.9 seconds left in overtime -- gave the New Jersey Devils a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was an absolute rocket from the left circle that beat Brent Johnson after Patrik Elias fed Kovalchuk from behind the net. The Devils have now won 11 of their last 12 games and 19 of their last 23. The goal came after Zbynek Michalek was sent off for hooking with 2:14 remaining in the extra session. It was the Devils' first power play chance of the night -- and they converted when it mattered the most. Kovalchuk, who netted his 23th goal of the season, now has six game-winners in his last 12 games. The win means the Devils stayed within 10 points of the New York Rangers. However, they still have three games in hand to make up ground on the Broadway Blues.

MAR-TIN: On an evening when New Jersey’s defense wasn't its normal shutdown self, goaltender Martin Brodeur picked up the slack. Making his third consecutive start after missing the previous nine games with a sprained MCL, Brodeur made 25 saves. He's now 3-0 since returning.

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS: In the first period, the Devils looked like a team that hadn't practiced Thursday. They struggled with their breakouts, as well as their ability to gain possession of the puck in their defensive zone. However, interim coach Jacques Lemaire and his club made some adjustments at intermission -- and turned those adjustments into the game's first goal 3:43 into the second. Second-line pivot Travis Zajac carried the puck all the way from center ice to the left circle, evading defenders as he sent a backhander that beat Johnson five-hole to put the Devils on top. It was Zajac's 10th goal of the season.

DARN IT REF: It didn’t take long for the Penguins to tie it up. Just 2:15 after Zajac’s goal, Kovalchuk clearing attempt deflected off a lineman as he was attempting to pass out of the Devils' zone after Zajac won the faceoff. Kovalchuk's pass was scooped up by Tyler Kennedy, whose twisted wrister from the right circle found the back of the net to make it 1-1.

EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS: First, David Clarkson lost the edge on his skate 4:27 into the first period. Then, Kris Letang was given a game misconduct at 6:14 because his jersey wasn't tied down during a scrap with Zajac. That mishap ended up costing the Penguins arguably their best defenseman.

SEEKING OUT STECKEL: David Steckel wanted it all to be over. He said he felt bad about his unintentional hit on Sidney Crosby at the Winter Classic that contributed to the Pittsburgh superstar sustaining a concussion. Steckel had fought Tim Wallace as a member of the Washington Capitals. So enough was enough. But the Penguins weren't over it -- just yet. Still, nothing materialized in the form of retaliation on Friday night, except for an accidental collision between Steckel and Chris Conner during the second period. Steckel is ready to move on. The question is, are the Penguins?

IRON UNKIND: Twice the Devils should've scored. But twice, the crossbar got in their way. Nick Palmieri was the first to have bad luck in the second period. And then, with about four minutes remaining in regulation time, Brian Rolston was the second.

UP NEXT: The Devils head to Long Island to take on the Islanders in a Sunday matinee.

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins will rekindle their Atlantic Division rivalry Friday night at the Prudential Center. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. Here's three things we'll be watching for during the game:

Getting Even?

The Penguins still haven't forgotten about newly acquired Devil David Steckel's unintentional hit at the Winter Classic that has kept their superstar, Sidney Crosby, out of action since Jan. 5. Steckel was a member of the Washington Capitals then, and remains apologetic about what happened, but the Penguins' animosity toward him has not waned. As their goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury, said, Pittsburgh is going to go hard at Steckel, while keeping it legal. Expect this to be a hard-hitting, tight-checking affair -- with the possibility of a little retribution thrown into the mix. And don't forget, Pittsburgh has struggled without Crosby. The Penguins will come into Friday night's game having lost five of their last six games.

Shoot the Puck!

The Devils have been absolutely on fire since the second half, having won 10 of their last 11 games and 18 of 22. Still, interim coach Jacques Lemaire wants them to take more shots and score more goals. He even mentioned that sniper Ilya Kovalchuk, who has been one of the hottest players in the NHL of late (five game-winning goals in his last 11 games), is passing too much. Of course, Kovalchuk did rip eight shots at the cage in the Devils' last game, a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night, so that has to continue. New Jersey has scored just six goals in his last four games.

D-Fence


Besides Kovalchuk's heroics, the reason for the Devils' second-half turnaround has been the defense. New Jersey has allowed just five goals in its last six games, and hasn't allowed more than two goals since Feb. 4. Goaltender Martin Brodeur, who will start his third consecutive game on Friday night, faced just 16 shots in the Devils' win against the Lightning, saving 15 of them. The fact that Crosby and Evgeni Malkin remain out will only make life easier on New Jersey's blueliners.

Recap | Box score | Photos

WHAT IT MEANS: Left winger Zach Parise is ready to begin skating. And the way the New Jersey Devils are playing of late, they may get him back before their improbable stretch run toward the playoffs is over. The Devils won for the 10th time in their last 11 games on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1. With the victory, New Jersey moved back within nine points of the idle Carolina Hurricanes for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Devils have now gone an unimaginable 18-2-2 in their last 22 games. They have only 19 games left to pull off the miracle, but the way they’ve been playing, who knows. Despite being without Jason Arnott, the Devils didn’t miss a beat with newly acquired centerman David Steckel. However, their reconstructed third and fourth lines are going to need time to find chemistry.

LET 'ER RIP: The "Kovy! Kovy! Kovy!" chants started with 9:50 remaining -- right after the Devils’ $100 million man put them on top. Ilya Kovalchuk unleashed an absolute Howitzer from the between the circles after taking a pass from Travis Zajac that beat Dwayne Roloson upstairs. In fact, the Russian sniper shot the puck so hard he flopped over. His 22nd goal of the season unknotted a 1-1 tie and instilled new life in the crowd.

MARTY! Making his second consecutive start after missing the previous nine games with a sprained MCL in his right knee, goaltender Martin Brodeur earned his second straight victory between the pipes, making 15 saves. His best stop of the evening came in the first period, when he robbed Nate Thompson on the breakaway with a glove save. Brodeur's defenseman continued their impeccable work in front of him as well. The Devils have allowed just four goals in their last six games.

TIED UP: Late in the second period, the Devils were looking for something, anything to get back in the game. They found that something in the form of Henrik Tallinder's fourth goal of the season with 1:15 remaining. After Kovalchuk split defenders and brought the puck into the Lightning zone, the Devils' first shot was blocked. However, the puck bounced to Tallinder at the top of the left circle and he fired a low shot that was deflected before it found its way behind Roloson, tying the game at 1-1.

TOO ANSSI: The Devils came in having killed off their last 21 penalties. But after defenseman Anssi Salmela foolishly flipped the puck over the boards in his own end and was whistled for delay of game in the second period, New Jersey was unable to extend its streak to 22. Pavel Kubina's wrister from the top of the right circle deflected off Dominic Moore's skate and past Brodeur. It was Moore's 11th goal of the season, third on the power play, and it came at 4:41 of the middle frame, allowing Tampa Bay to jump out to a 1-0 lead.

UP NEXT: The Devils will take on the Sidney Crosby-less Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night at the Prudential Center. The reason the Penguins don't have Crosby's services still is because new Devils acquisition David Steckel hit him in the Winter Classic when he was a member of the Washington Capitals, causing a concussion. Will the Penguins be seeking retribution? We'll find out in two days.

Maybe CC Sabathia is actually a New Jersey Devils' fan. Or maybe the ace of the New York Yankees just likes rocking their logo on his hat.

Either way, Sabathia was photographed at the New York Knicks-Orlando Magic game wearing a Devils' hat.

Sabathia does reside in Alpine, N.J. Several other famous people live in the town, at least as of 2009, including hip-hop stars P Diddy, Lil' Kim and Mary J Blige. Comedian Chris Rock also has a residence there. As far as athletes are concerned, Gary Sheffield and Patrick Ewing reportedly call Alpine home -- or rather part-time home -- as well.

Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk is currently in the process of having a multi-million dollar mansion built there for his family. Kovalchuk's wife and children reside in Florida for the time being.

After the Jason Arnott-David Steckel trade, here's where the New Jersey Devils' forward line combinations stand:

Brian Rolston-Patrik Elias-Dainus Zubrus

Ilya Kovalchuk-Travis Zajac-Nick Palmieri

Rod Pelley-Jacob Josefson-Mattias Tedenby

Vladimir Zharkov-David Steckel-David Clarkson

Obviously, the top two units have remained the same. In a perfect world, Pelley would eventually be replaced by Zach Parise on the Devils' third line. Parise is expected to find out from doctors Wednesday whether or not he can begin skating.

Interim coach Jacques Lemaire has talked about this being a "great opportunity" for Josefson to solidify himself among the top centermen on the club.

Lemaire also sounds excited about the prospect of really being able to use his checking line during all times of the game.

Although the old checking unit of Tim Sestito/Adam Mair-Pelley-Clarkson did an admirable job when they were put together, the additions of Steckel and Zharkov should make the line more dynamic.

All three of them are very strong on the puck, and should be able to generate chances off the forecheck and cycle.

We'll see how the two bottom units mesh in their first game together on Wednesday night, when the Devils take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NEWARK, N.J. -- As expected, New Jersey Devils interim coach Jacques Lemaire confirmed Wednesday morning that goaltender Martin Brodeur will make his second consecutive start for the Devils Wednesday night when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center.

Brodeur, who started Sunday for the first time since Feb. 6, made 25 saves in New Jersey's 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers.

The 38-year-old, who sports a 14-19-2 record with a 2.69 goals against average and an .899 save percentage, had missed the previous nine games while nursing a sprained MCL in his right knee.

Backup Johan Hedberg went 8-1-0 in Brodeur's absence.

NEWARK, N.J. -- The possibility of being traded had never occurred to David Steckel.

Sure, Steckel was well-aware of the Washington Capitals’ interest in Jason Arnott. He just didn’t think he’d be the player on the other end of the deal -- until 3:20 p.m. EST.

Exactly 20 minutes after Monday’s NHL trade deadline expired, Steckel found out he’d been dealt by the Capitals to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Arnott.

“It was unexpected,” Steckel said after Tuesday morning’s practice, his first with his new team. “I knew we were probably going to make a playoff for Arnott, but when the call came at 3:20, I didn’t think it was going to be me on the other end of that.”

Ironically, Steckel had been pulled out Capitals‘ practice on Monday morning. However, it wasn’t because he was on the verge of being traded -- yet.

“We were even joking with the trainer about that, ‘Yeah, Stecksie got traded,’” said Steckel, who came off the ice after tweaking something, which he claims is fine now. “But really nobody had thought it was going to be me. It had nothing to do with it. I didn’t find out until after 3:20 after the trade was actually done.”

In Steckel, the Devils are getting a 6-foot-5, 217-pound center who leads the NHL in faceoff percentage (63.7). The 28-year-old, who is signed through 2012-13 at an annual cap hit of $1.1 million, recorded five goals and six assists in 57 games for the Capitals this season.

“To be honest, I don’t know how I’m going to fit in here,” Steckel said. “But for me it’s about winning faceoffs to control the puck and being a two-way player out there on the positive side every time I can be. Just getting in deep, cycling and getting to the net.”

Steckel practiced with on the Devils’ checking line with wingers David Clarkson and Vladimir Zharkov.

Interim coach Jacques Lemaire, who said Steckel should see time on the penalty-kiling unit as well, believes he still needs to get acclimated with the Devils’ style of hockey and their system.

“I could tell that he’s not himself right now the first day you get traded,” Lemaire said. “But from what I can see, he understands the game well. It looks like in his own zone he’ll be able to do a good job defensively. He’s got a good shot, gets it on net and he’s strong on the puck.”

After Wednesday's morning skate, however, Lemaire noticed a change in Steckel and said he looked to be more comfortable.

"I was really nervous," Steckel said. "It's my first trade."

Steckel knows it’s going to be an uphill battle for the Devils to make the playoffs.

Despite going 17-2-2 in its last 21 games, New Jersey trails the Carolina Hurricanes by 11 points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 20 games remaining.

Still, he’s ready for the challenge.

“I’ve been in that position before, three years ago with Washington,” Steckel said. “We were in that exact same position throughout most of the year, and we made a run toward the playoffs. It kind of catapulted the organization for a couple of years.”

Steckel, who will sport Arnott’s old No. 25 on his jersey, is set to make his debut on Wednesday night in another pivotal, must-win game for the Devils against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center.

On Friday night, the Lightning beat the Devils, 2-1, snapping New Jersey’s eight-game winning streak. The Devils, though, will be looking to start up another one after beating the Florida Panthers by that same score on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Steckel said. “It’s pretty exciting for me actually. I can’t say enough about what I’ve heard about this organization. I’m excited to be here.”

New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello has become notorious for pulling off last-minute deals right before the trade deadline.

He did it again on Monday.

Just minutes before the 3 p.m. EST deadline, Lamoriello traded third-line center Jason Arnott to the Washington Capitals in exchange for gritty center David Steckel and a 2012 second-round draft choice.

"We felt that in order for us to trade Jason Arnott, we had to bring a player into our lineup that would not miss a beat with the type of team we had," Lamoriello said during a Monday afternoon conference call with reporters. "It had to be a perfect fit because we don’t want to lose anything in what has been happening. We felt that we should get future because at that this time, it’s important to get as much as you possibly can and if we did not get this type of transaction, we would not have made the transaction."

Arnott, 36, had to waive his no-trade clause to accept the move. In 62 games, the 17-year veteran, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Devils in 2000, notched 13 goals and 11 assists.

Arnott was previously playing on a line in New Jersey alongside rookie Mattias Tedenby and Vladimir Zharkov.

While it is unknown how interim coach Jacques Lemaire will juggle his combinations, expect rookie Jacob Josefson to slide into Arnott’s spot between Tedenby and Zharkov.

That would allow Steckel, an emerging face-off man, to play with Rod Pelley and David Clarkson on the Devils’ checking unit.

Considering that Arnott wasn’t going to be part of the Devils’ long-term plans -- he will make $4.5 million in 2010-11 and become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end -- Lamoriello did well to fetch Steckel and the pick in return.

Don't forget, Lamoriello still has to worry about the future of superstar Zach Parise -- in both the short- and long-term. On Wednesday, Parise will find out if he can begin skating and potential rejoin the team. He's also a restricted free agent at season's end and is expected to be courted by several clubs.

"Zach Parise will be seeing the physician on March 2," Lamoriello said. "We will have knowledge of exactly where’s he’s at and what he can do. And when he can skate, when he can’t skate and the results of the examination."

Steckel, who is known for his hit at the Winter Classic that knocked Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby out of action, will make a reasonable $1.1 million and is signed at that price through 2012-13.

"He can be used in all situations, especially when the game is on the line," Lamoriello said. "He leads the league in face-offs and has done so over the last couple years."

Defenseman Andy Greene and backup goaltender Johan Hedberg were the other Devils that were rumored to move considering they were both UFAs like Arnott, but in the end, they will stay.

"No, [moving them] was not considered," Lamoriello said. "You always listen, but it was not considered. I was up front. They did not want to go anywhere. They expressed their thoughts and feelings, and we did not want them to go anywhere."

The Devils are nine points out of a playoff spot with 20 games remaining. Lamoriello has not given up on the postseason. In fact, he believes the team is better off with Steckel, who has recorded 11 points in 57 games, than with Arnott.

"We will continue to do what we have done, which is take one day at a time and give it a try," Lamoriello said. "Just play a game at a time. Let the end result take care of itself."

Lamoriello said that defenseman Bryce Salvador, who suffered a concussion in the preseason, will not be available until next season.

"Bryce is status quo," Lamoriello said. "He will certainly not be playing this year. It’s a medical situation. He’s targeting to be ready for next year."

The New Jersey Devils took care of business on Sunday afternoon, dropping the Florida Panthers, 2-1, at the BankAtlantic Center.

David Clarkson and Brian Rolston scored for the Devils, who rebounded from Friday night's 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning to improve to 17-2-2 in their last 21 games. Goaltender Martin Brodeur made 25 saves to earn the victory. It was Brodeur's first start since Feb. 6.

The win enabled the Devils to move within nine points of the Carolina Hurricanes for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 20 games remaining.

With the NHL trade deadline looming on Monday at 3 p.m., there was no question that this was a must-win game for New Jersey. And now that the Devils have won, it will be interesting to see how general manager Lou Lamoriello proceeds from here.

Jason Arnott, Andy Greene and Johan Hedberg will all be free agents at the end of the season, and would be the three likely candidates to be moved should Lamoriello decide to be a seller. However, if he decides to be a buyer, Lamoriello could elect to try and acquire a piece or two to help the Devils' continue their playoff push.

When asked if he'd like to see this current group stay together past the trade deadline on the MSG-Plus postgame show, head coach Jacques Lemaire responded: "They'll stay together."

The next key date for the Devils after the deadline is Wednesday, when injured superstar Zach Parise will find out from doctors whether or not he is healthy enough to begin skating. Parise may turn out to be New Jersey's biggest addition if he can return to the lineup before the end of the season.

Despite falling to Tampa Bay and seeing their eight-game winning streak snapped in the process, the Devils managed to go 3-1 on their four-game roadtrip after fending off the Panthers.

"We battled," Lemaire said. "We played to win all the games. We made some mistakes, but who doesn't. We're not a perfect team either so you have to accept some of the mistakes and try to correct them and be better next time."

The Devils (27-31-4) remain in 13th place in the East, one point behind Florida. Their next game is against the Lightning on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center.

Lemaire said before Friday's game that the Devils can only afford to lose four more games all season. They've already dropped one.

So, with that in mind, if they go 17-3 (16-2-2 also works) the rest of the way, they'd reach 92 points.

That would probably get them in the playoffs.

The New Jersey Devils' dream of making the playoffs is still alive.

But it got a little harder after Friday night's 2-1 road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With just one game remaining before Monday's NHL trade deadline and 21 games left in the season, the Devils are now 11 points back of the Carolina Hurricanes for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Devils, who had their eight-game winning streak snapped, are still an unbelievable 16-2-2 in their last 20 games. However, they'll still need a miracle to reach the postseason for the 14th consecutive time.

Both of the Lightning's goals came off face-off wins. Normally dominant inside the face-off dot, the Devils lost 35-of-58 draws.

Rookie defenseman Mark Fayne tallied his fourth goal of the season for the Devils in the third period, but they couldn't solve Tampa Bay goaltender Dwayne Roloson again. Johan Hedberg made 28 saves in a losing cause for New Jersey (26-31-4).

The Devils will have practice on Saturday before facing the Florida Panthers in a must-win game on Sunday afternoon. It will be the final game of their four-game road trip.

At best, they can be nine points out with 20 games remaining.

While it may make many fans upset considering the run the Devils have been on, general manager Lou Lamoriello is going to have to decide quickly whether or not he's going to be a buyer or a seller at the deadline.

Veteran pivot Jason Arnott is the likely candidate on the team to be shopped with many clubs looking for help at center.

Obviously, every game since the second-half has been a must-win for the Devils. But maybe none more so than Sunday.

Single digits.

Yes, the New Jersey Devils have miraculously moved to within single digits of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

A Devils' 1-0 road victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, coupled with a New York Rangers' 4-3 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes, means New Jersey is now within nine points of the Canes with 22 games remaining. The Devils, who have won a season-high eight straight games, also have one game in hand.

Rookie right winger Nick Palmieri notched the game's only goal -- on the power play -- with 5:37 left in regulation to snap a scoreless tie. For goaltender Johan Hedberg, who stopped all 19 shots he faced, it was his second shutout in his last three games.

The Devils are now 16-1-2 in their last 19 games. Unreal, we know. And to think, they were 27 points back on Jan. 8.

Before the game, it was reported by the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger that interim coach Jacques Lemaire pulled his team off the ice during its morning skate because he was appalled with their effort.

They certainly responded.

The Devils are now 2-0 on their four-game road trip.

Can they be stopped. Who knows? But like we said before, we're not betting against them.

They are getting closer.

The New Jersey Devils did exactly what they needed to do on Friday and Saturday night: win.

Once 27 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Devils closed to within 10 points of the Carolina Hurricanes after beating them, 4-1, in Raleigh, N.C.

New Jersey, which has won a season-high seven games, has given up just eight goals during that stretch.

Dainus Zubrus had two goals for the Devils, while Patrik Elias had three assists. Johan Hedberg made 24 saves. He's now 6-0 in his last six starts.

With an assist, Ilya Kovalchuk extended his point-streak to a season-high 10 consecutive games.

Ideally, the Devils would've liked to enter Tuesday night's game in Dallas against the Stars trailing the Canes by just eight points. But Carolina beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, on Friday night to put those hopes to rest.

Still, with 23 games remaining, the Devils (15-1-2 in their last 18) are right in the thick of it. Earlier in the week, we pointed out how big these last two games were. And, just as they have been ever since the second half began, the Devils were up to the task.

The rest of the teams in the NHL should take notice, because the Devils are on a mission. And no one seems to be able to stop them.

Not even interim coach Jacques Lemaire, who keeps saying that an inevitable dip was coming.

It just hasn't come yet. And hopefully for Devils' fans, it won't come during the final three games of the team's four-game road trip.

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk is playing like a man possessed.

A man possessed with confidence.

Kovalchuk’s highlight reel breakaway goal 8:18 into the second period proved to be the difference, as the Devils shutout the New York Rangers, 1-0, on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd at the Prudential Center.

“He’s played really well,” interim coach Jacques Lemaire of Kovalchuk, who now has points in a season-high nine straight games. “Maybe it’s a confidence that he has and the way that he works hard. He works hard, and he’s got the tools.”

It took a while. More time than the Devils expected. But Kovalchuk is starting to display the type of talent New Jersey thought it was getting when it inked the 27-year-old Russian superstar to a 17-year, $100 million contract in the offseason.

“He’s extremely dangerous,” said winning goaltender Johan Hedberg. “He’s been so clutch. I’m so happy for him. He’s excited and it rubs off on the rest of us.”

The Rangers had the puck in the Devils’ zone and were poised to set up an offensive chance, but a pass around the boards jumped over Marc Staal’s stick. And that set up Kovalchuk’s latest game-winning goal.

He picked up the puck in the neutral zone and sped in on Henrik Lundqvist. Earlier in the season, the Devils wouldn’t have been so sure he’d score. But they knew just as well as the Rangers did: the puck was going in the back of the net.

Sure enough, Kovalchuk fired a low snapper that beat Lundqvist glove side, igniting the entire arena with his 21st goal of the season. Kovalchuk pounded his fists in jubilation.

The decibel level in the arena was at a fever pitch. Make no question about it: Ilya Kovalchuk is back.

“At the beginning of the season, I would’ve been gritting my teeth,” veteran center Jason Arnott said. “But now he’s just got that confidence where you know that he’s gonna bury it. He just has that natural gift and he’s playing with so much confidence right now, the whole bench stood up and kind of knew that he was gonna score. It’s a good feeling when he’s scoring and everyone else is chipping in where we can to win hockey games.”

Said Kovalchuk, who notched his third game-winning goal in his last four games: “You don’t hear anything [when you’re on a breakaway]. A forward has more of a chance on a breakaway than on a penalty shot. The goalie can’t really focus. He can try to be ready but you can catch him by surprise.”

Thanks to Kovalchuk’s seventh goal and 11th point in his last nine games, the Devils remained 12 points behind the Carolina Hurricanes, who defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, on Friday night, for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference.

“We just go out there every game and look at it one game at a time,” said Kovalchuk, whose team has won a season-high six straight games, eight of its last nine and 14 of its last 17. “We’re looking to get to .500 as soon as we can and see what happens.”