National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Jersey 3, Pittsburgh 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, December 29, 2014
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Referees: T.J. Luxmore, Dan O'Halloran
Linesmen: Jean Morin, Pierre Racicot
Attendance: 16592

Devils 3, Penguins 1: Travis Zajac scored a goal and set up another as host New Jersey snapped its three-game winless streak (0-2-1).

Former Penguin Jaromir Jagr and Adam Henrique also tallied for the Devils, who earned Scott Stevens and Adam Oates their first victory in their second game as co-coaches. Cory Schneider turned aside 27 shots in his league-leading 34th start of the season.

Captain Sidney Crosby netted the lone goal for the Penguins, whose slide reached four games (0-3-1). Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 24 saves as Pittsburgh fell to 2-1-0 versus New Jersey this campaign.

Pittsburgh opened the scoring with 5:23 remaining in the first period as Crosby charged down the right wing and slipped around Devils defenseman Andy Greene before lifting a backhander under the crossbar from the faceoff circle. New Jersey pulled even 5:33 into the second, when Zajac grabbed a rebound on the right side and fired it past Fleury during a power play.

Jagr snapped the tie with 80 seconds left in the session, beating Fleury with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle. Henrique created breathing room 5 1/2 minutes into the third by banging in his own rebound in the crease.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Zajac's tally ended a streak of nine consecutive goals by Pittsburgh in the season series. ... Penguins D Simon Despres registered a game-high seven shots on goal. ... New Jersey improved to 2-5-3 in its last 10 games and scored more than two goals for just the second time in that span.
Top Game Performances
 
Pittsburgh   New Jersey
Sidney Crosby 1 Points Travis Zajac 2
Sidney Crosby 1 Goals Travis Zajac 1
Chris Kunitz 1 Assists Travis Zajac 1
N/A Power Play Goals Travis Zajac 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Marc-Andre Fleury .889 Save Percentage Cory Schneider .964
Marc-Andre Fleury 24 Saves Cory Schneider 27
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Pittsburgh 28 1 0-3 2-3 16 18
New Jersey 27 3 1-3 3-3 16 22
Upcoming Games
  • New Jersey will play their next game on the road against Detroit. The Devils have a W/L % of .385 after a win and .320 after a loss.
  • Pittsburgh will play their next game at home against Carolina. The Penguins have a W/L % of .609 after a win and .615 after a loss.