I remember the 2006/2007 season, when the Pittsburgh Penguins matched up against arch division rival Philadelphia 8 times, and beat the Flyers like a drum all 8 matchups.
Our Boys of Winter are beginning to learn what it's like to have the shoe on the other foot.
In their 4th matchup of the year against division foe New Jersey -- and the first for the Penguins on the road at the Prudential Center -- the Devils beat the Penguins again, and did it by way of shutout for the 2nd game in a row, this time 2-0.
New Jersey got an early goal from Stefan Berkfors less than 2 minutes into the game when he beat Pittsburgh backup goaltender Brent Johnson with a seeing-eye shot from the near boards that went through 3 Penguin players in the path of the puck and somehow got behind #1.
That was Berkfors' 4th goal this year against Pittsburgh.
In contrast, the Penguins have scored only TWO goals as a team against the Devils and netminder Martin Brodeur in 4 games now.
While New Jersey getting an early goal would seem to be the kiss of death, the game didn't necessarily play out that way last night. In fact, last night's contest was the Penguins best effort, by far, against New Jersey this year.
For example, Pittsburgh tossed 32 shots on net last night.
The problem was that Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur played.
Again.
And, in his 17th straight start, was at the top of his game.
Again.
Anyone who questions whether or not he's worthy of being Team Canada's #1 netminder -- ahead of local product Marc-Andre Fleury, who some feel is deserving of being the starter given his success the last few years -- should check themselves at the door.
Brodeur made Bergfors' goal stand up until late in the third period when Jamie Langenbrunner scored an empty netter to finish the Penguins' off.
What was unfortunate about the empty net goal -- aside from it allowing the Devils to move up 4 points on the Penguins in the Atlantic -- was that it came shorthanded, with the Penguins on their first power play of the game.
That's right ... FIRST.
And ONLY.
It was a glorious opportunity for Pittsburgh, but their league-basement man-advantage again failed them.
Personally, I didn't like the fact that it seemed like all they wanted to do was blast away from the point on that 6-on-4.
I think there's too much risk in that situation of a play going the other way for an empty netter, and that's exactly what happened.
Plus, Brodeur was playing too good to think your chances of getting one by him were high -- even with 2 Penguins screening him in front.
I would have rather seen the Penguins work low and crash the net.
As it is, the Penguins now have given 8 points to New Jersey in the standings this year. Take those 8 points away from them and add 8 points to Pittsburgh's total, and the Pens' would be up on them by TWELVE in the standings.
Ugh.
Anyway, the Pens' returned home after the game, where they are scheduled to practice today and tomorrow before departing for the Sunshine state to play games against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday (3:00 PM EST) and the Florida Panthers on Sunday (5:00 PM EST).
More over the weekend.
Have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year, everyone.
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