NHL Weekend Preview - Devil of a Schedule for New Jersey

The schedule makers dealt theSan Jose Sharks on Sunday.

New Jersey heads into the weekend winners of three of their last four games. The Devils faced both New York teams earlier in the week, shutting out the Islanders 4-2 on Wednesday. Scott Clemmensen picked up the shutout versus the Rangers after making 27 saves, while Zach Parise was an offensive force in both games. Parise netted a pair of goals against the Rangers and picked up four more points against the Islanders with two goals and two assists. In the month of February Parise has been unstoppable with nine points in five games.

Boston takes on New Jersey on Saturday, uncharacteristically having lost their last two games. On Tuesday in a battle between the league’s best against San Jose Boston lost 5-2 after allowing four goals in the third period. Milan Lucic scored both Boston goals, giving him 13 on the season.

The Bruins and Devils have met up twice already this season with Boston winning 2-0 in Jersey in December and the Devils edging the Bruins 4-3 in OT as a +135 underdog on the NHL odds.

San Jose takes on Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Joe Pavelski scored the Sharks’ lone goal versus the Penguins, while Brian Boucher got the start in goal and made 35 saves.

The Devils and Sharks faced off in New Jersey last season when the Devils won 3-2 as a -140 favorite. Parise scored for the Devils in the win, while Patrik Elias notched a pair of assists. The Devils have had a lot of success against the Sharks in recent years with a five wins in their last six matchups.