Five for Fighting

Norstrom here

Mattias Norstrom joined the team this morning in Pittsburgh and skated. He still won't be eligible to play until Monday against Columbus, but it's an opportunity for him to get in there and get some contact in again.

Antti Miettinen skated on Thursday morning and coach Dave Tippett said he looked good out there. They'll continue to evaluate his progress.

It's chilly (not surprising) and a bit windy (somewhat surprising) here in the Steel City. We'll try to stay warm.

Close, but...

It's hard to get too down in the dumps after the loss. After all, a six-game win streak isn't too shabby. But the Stars had some choice chances in this one that went by the wayside. Mike Ribeiro said that scoreless 5 on 3 was the difference. It didn't help that Martin Brodeur got tougher as the game went on after allowing two early.

Now here comes the weird part. The Stars are going through this lengthy road trip and playing basically every other day. Meanwhile, on Friday they'll play a Penguins team that hasn't played since Saturday.
Saturday!

No word on whether the Stars practice in Pittsburgh on Thursday. It may be a good day to rest up.

Devils up 3-2

Dainius Zubrus puts the Devils up 3-2 at the 8:57 mark. Modano had tried to pass to Jokinen at the other end, but it bounced off his skate and to the Devils, who had a 3 on 2 at the other end. Great pass by Langenbrunner set up Zubrus.

Stars PP goes 0 for 3

It looked like Niklas Hagman was going to get off another sweet one but Brodeur had a great poke check on him.

Momentum

The Stars had the momentum early with those two goals. But the Devils had some fire in the second period. The Stars ended up outshooting the Devils 10-9 in the period, thanks in part to the five shots on the 5 on 3. They've had some close chances, little bounces that just missed here or there.

We'll see if those bounces come back in the third.

Devils tie it

Brian Gionta, sliding to the ground, still gets the shot off and past Turco to tie it at 18:48. The Devils are dictating the pace more during this period, and it's showing.

The Stars missed a golden opportunity a few minutes before this, going scoreless on 1:37 of 5 on 3 play. The Stars did get five shots, but just couldn't get one past Brodeur. He's looking much better, by the way.

Devils get one

David Clarkson wraps one around and beats Turco 5-hole to get the Devils on the board. John Madden and Dainius Zubrus with the assists at 8:52. The Devils are outshooting the Stars 16-9 at the moment.

Where is everybody?

The Devils have a pretty new building in the Prudential Center... but where are the fans? I don't know what they'll announce the attendance as, but if it's anything more than about 5,000 there's a conspiracy.

It's a shame, really, because this is a sweet new place.

Jokinen's turn

Jussi Jokinen gives the Stars a 2-0 lead. Sharp angle on the shot, but one that Brodeur typically gets. The Stars will take it, at 13:40.

STUUUUU!

Yes, it's Stu Barnes on a shorthanded goal. Barnes gobbled up the puck along the boards and beat Brodeur, who was standing up, through the skates.

1-0 Stars at 10:42. Assist from Philippe Boucher.