A late comeback bid failed, and the Penguins will end the calendar year with a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
In a penalty-packed first period, Ilya Kovalchuk scored on a penalty shot and David Clarkson had a power-play goal as the Devils left the ice with a 2-0 lead. In the second period, the Penguins had 12 shots to the Devils’ five, but they couldn’t get anything going against Martin Brodeur. (Brodeur finished with 29 saves.)
The Penguins did manage to make some noise in the third period, as Chris Kunitz’s power-play goal cut the lead to 2-1. But Zach Parise scored an empty-netter with less than a minute to play to dash the Pens’ hopes.
Kovalchuk was involved in all three goals, and finished with a goal and two assists.
Pascal Dupuis and Arron Asham were both hurt in the game.
The Penguins are off until Friday, when they’ll host the New York Rangers.
For more on the Penguins, check out PensBurgh. For more on the Devils, there’s In Lou We Trust.