|  Wys³any: 2019-08-26 05:34:46 Temat postu: Tuesdays Metropolitan Division clash at Consol Energy
(SportsNetwork.com) - The New Jersey Devils hope to avoid their longest losing streak of the season when they visit the rival Pittsburgh Penguins for Tuesdays Metropolitan Division clash at Consol Energy Center. The Devils are in the midst of a four-game slide, matching their longest skids of 2014-15. New Jersey previously dropped four in a row from Oct. 16-24 and Nov. 4-10, but the club hasnt lost five straight since opening the 2013-14 campaign on a 0-4-3 losing streak. The most recent loss of New Jerseys current 0-2-2 slide came Saturday when it opened a three-game road trip against the New York Islanders. New Jersey outshot the Isles by a 35-28 margin in the game, including a 16-2 edge in shots in the third period, but lost 3-1 on the scoreboard. Jaroslav Halak frustrated the Devils offense time and again, posting 34 saves and helping to kill off all four of New Jerseys power-play chances. Damien Brunner had the only goal against Halak, while Cory Schneider allowed two goals on 27 shots in the loss. The regulation defeat dropped Jersey to 3-8-2 over its last 13 games and the Devils road mark fell to 6-8-1. We can be encouraged by it but we cant be happy or satisfied, said Schneider. The Devils were without centermen Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique on Saturday after both players were hurt in Fridays game against Detroit. Those injuries led to New Jersey signing Scott Gomez to an undisclosed contract on Monday. Gomez, who spent the first seven years of his career with New Jersey, was invited to the teams training camp on a tryout contract. He was not signed by the Devils prior to the start of the season, but continued practicing with the team waiting for an opportunity. With Zajac being placed on injured reserve Monday with a lower-body issue, and Henrique still considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the time was right to ink Gomez. In a 14-year career totaling 987 NHL games, Gomez has tallied 173 goals and 713 points. He spent the 2013-14 season with Florida, scoring two goals and totaling 12 points in 46 games. Gomez, a first-round pick by the Devils in 1998, is expected to suit up for the Devils tonight for the first time since the 2007 playoffs. He does have skills, he knows the system, hes been practicing and well see how it goes, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. New Jersey, which caps its swing Thursday in Toronto, also could have defenseman Jon Merrill (arm) back tonight. Merrill hasnt played since Nov. 1. The Penguins enter Tuesday tied with the Islanders for first place in the division and have won three of their last four games. Pittsburgh fell Friday in its home half of a home-and-home series against Carolina, but rebounded from the 4-2 setback with a road victory the following night. Thomas Greiss came up with 32 saves to help the Penguins edge the Hurricanes 3-2. The Penguins supported Greiss solid effort with first-period goals by Chris Kunitz and Robert Bortuzzo, with Christian Ehrhoff netting the eventual game-winner in the third. I thought the intensity tonight, our battle level was certainly a lot higher than last night, Penguins head coach Mike Johnston said. The Pens played Saturday without forward Marcel Goc and defenseman Kris Letang after both skaters were injured in the opener against Carolina. Letang has been ruled out for tonight, while Goc is questionable. Bortuzzo and captain Sidney Crosby are both questionable for tonight after missing Tuesdays morning skate with illnesses. Pittsburgh owns a solid 7-3-1 record at Consol this season, but has lost two of its last three home games. This evenings test kicks off a three-game stay in the Steel City, where the Devils have lost three straight, five of six and nine of their last 11. The Pens have claimed three of five overall from New Jersey and recorded an 8-3 win when the clubs met in Pittsburgh on Oct. 28. The Devils were outshot 33-19 in that game and surrendered a season-high in goals. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 16 shots for Pittsburgh, while Schneider surrendered five goals on 23 shots and was pulled after two periods. Schneider is expected to make his 24th start of the season tonight. He is winless (0-3-0) with a 4.15 goals against average in his career against Pittsburgh. Fleury is 18-22-4 with a 2.50 GAA in 44 lifetime appearances versus the Devils. Wilmar Barrios Jersey . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle. Jose Fernando Cuadrado Colombia Jersey . A fully booked flight forced me to leave two hours later. After a nice meal in which I studied the stats of the Argo win, I prepared to leave the restaurant. As I was gathering my things to leave many large individuals began to walk up and wait for tables. http://www.nationalcolombiafootball.com/customized/ .com) - Rajon Rondo turned in a game-high 21 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists as Dallas claimed a 102-98 win over the Lakers on Friday. Wilmar Barrios Colombia Jersey . The game was the first of two international friendlies that Canada is playing during the international break, with the second game against Slovenia set for Tuesday in Celje. Canada looked uncomfortable defensively throughout the game, and every free kick that came into Canadas penalty box looked like ending up in the back of the net. Jose Fernando Cuadrado Jersey .com) - Hassan Whiteside scored 20 points with nine rebounds in the Miami Heats 83-75 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday.TORONTO – The absence of Jose Reyes from manager John Gibbons lineup is forcing the skipper to do some less than desirable juggling. The star shortstops injury has been mitigated, somewhat, by the surprising offensive contribution of his replacement, Jonathan Diaz, but the bottom of the order remains subpar in an offence heavy division. Then theres the number two spot in the order, vacated by Melky Cabrera, whos moved into Reyes leadoff role. Colby Rasmus has occupied the bridge to Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion since Tuesday night in Tampa Bay. Hes off to a slow start this season with just two hits in 22 at-bats (.090), striking out at a 40 per cent clip (10 times in 25 plate appearances). The sample sizes are small and the Blue Jays believe Reyes will return on April 16, the day hes eligible to come off the disabled list, or soon after. Still, manager John Gibbons has considered something he did last year for part of the time Reyes was down, bumping up Bautista and Encarnacion in the lineup. "We thought about it," said Gibbons. "Right now we want to kind of split the lefties up as much as possible, as far apart as we can. Colbys had some success in that two-hole in the past. Right now, the way hes swinging its not ideal but, like I said, I think hes close." For his career, Rasmus has struck out in 24.2 per cent of his plate appearances. Thats not an ideal number for a top of the order guy and its why the Blue Jays, when healthy, dont use him there. "Hes going to strike out," said Gibbons. "Thats the kind of player he is. Hes going to have some strikeouts. But I think hes real close." "I dont ever like living with strikeouts," said hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, who says he speaks to Rasmus daily. "I think theres a way to patch things up, patch up holes and get yourself into a position with a mindset and an approach to where it gives you a better chance to barrel it up and not be vulnerable in certain counts, certain pitches, certain locations." It may surprise you to learn Rasmus has played more games batting second, 239 times in his career, than in any other spot in the order. It isnt close, either. Hes hit fifth 138 times, his second-most frequeent spot in the order.dddddddddddd Rasmus former manager, Tony La Russa, often hit him second. Those two are linked for their infamous falling out, although that wasnt related to Rasmus spot in the lineup. Seitzer is working with him on an adjustment related to where Rasmus hands start when the pitcher comes set. Previously, Rasmus had been starting his hands away from his body, effectively out and over the plate. He now starts with his hands closer to his body. "Hes not comfortable with it because its new," said Seitzer. "He hit all winter and all spring and I kind of had to let him go with his thing, getting to know him and getting used to him and then seeing what happens once the season starts. Were working on making adjustments. Hes just got to get himself in good position to give himself the best chance." The hitting coach wants the player to see the adjustment through. "I dont care where guys start their hands as long as they get to their launch position in time, on time, every time. Thats the only chance you have to hit big league pitching," said Seitzer. HAPPS REHAB START J.A. Happ was scheduled to make a rehab start for the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays on Saturday evening, weather permitting. Happ is on the disabled list, back dated to March 26 so hes eligible to return on April 10, with back inflammation thats plagued him since early in spring training. ROSTER MOVE The Blue Jays designated right-hander Jeremy Jeffress for assignment after Friday nights game. The intention was to recall Chad Jenkins from Triple-A Buffalo. In fact, the Bisons had issued a press release to that effect. Turns out Jenkins isnt eligible to join the Blue Jays until April 10 because, as a player optioned to the minor leagues, hes required to spend 10 regular season days in the minors. In Jenkins place is Marcus Walden, whose contract was purchased and the player added to the 40-man roster. Walden, a 25-year-old right-hander, was a ninth round selection of the Blue Jays in the 2007 draft. To be clear on the option rule: there is an exception to the 10-day window for players recalled due to injury. Erik Kratz is an example. He was recalled when J.A. Happ was placed on the disabled list. ' ' ' |
Tuesdays Metropolitan Division clash at Consol Energy 
