(Sports Network) - The sliding New Jersey Devils will try to end their longest
losing streak in over two years when they host the Buffalo Sabres in
Thursday's battle at Prudential Center.
The Devils are 0-5-1 in their last six games, marking the franchise's longest
skid since it dropped six straight in regulation from Dec. 17-29, 2010.
Another setback on Thursday would give New Jersey its worst losing streak in
decades, as the club hasn't lost seven straight since an eight-game slide from
Jan. 24-Feb. 8, 1986.
New Jersey, last year's Eastern Conference champions, began the season with an
8-1-3 record, but is currently fighting to stay in the playoff picture. The
Devils are currently seeded seventh out of the eight postseason seeds in the
East and is just one point in front of the New York Rangers.
All six losses during the current funk have come with starting goaltender
Martin Brodeur sidelined due to back soreness. The future Hall of Famer will
miss a seventh straight game on Thursday and there's still no timetable for
his return.
Johan Hedberg will get the start in net on Thursday and has taken all six
losses during the skid. Hedberg allowed three goals on 11 shots before being
pulled in the second period of Tuesday's 5-2 setback against visiting Tampa
Bay. Rookie goaltender Keith Kinkaid stopped 12-of-13 shots in his first NHL
appearance.
"Once I got that call, my legs started shaking," Kinkaid admitted of his
debut. "Just to get that first taste of NHL hockey is surreal."
It's unknown when Kinkaid will get his second taste of NHL action since he was
sent back to the minors following Tuesday's loss and was replaced on the
roster by goaltender Jeff Frazee.
Adam Henrique and Patrik Elias each scored once in Tuesday's loss, which
dropped the Devils to 6-3-2 as the host this season.
In a move for depth, the Devils claimed veteran right winger Tom Kostopoulos
off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Kostopoulos has played
for five NHL teams during his career but has spent 2013 playing for
Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Devils
made room for Kostopoulos by sending forward Cam Janssen to their AHL club in
Albany. Kostopoulos is expected to be in the lineup on Thursday.
The Sabres are 0-1-1 so far on a four-game road trip that is set to end Sunday
in Philadelphia. Buffalo's most recent setback came in Tuesday's 4-3
regulation setback to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Cody Hodgson had two goals for the Sabres, including a short-handed tally with
just 35 seconds left in regulation. TJ Brennan added his first goal of the
season, while Ryan Miller stopped 24-of-28 shots in defeat.
"It comes back to playing a full 60 minutes," Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers
said. "It is what has gotten us in trouble the last three years. We have to
find a way to start a game and finish it. We can't start playing when it's too
late."
Buffalo is 5-7-1 as the road team this season. The club is 3-3-1 since interim
head coach Ron Rolston took over for the fired Lindy Ruff.
New Jersey won three of four meetings against the Sabres in 2011-12, but
Buffalo has claimed three of four and six of the past eight encounters on the
road.
The Sports Network