Pens nab 1st victory
NEWARK, N.J. — Alex Goligoski couldn't believe his eyes. The New Jersey Devils were really going to play an NHL game with only 15 skaters.
"It was very weird seeing only three lines on the scout sheet prior to the game," the Penguins defenseman said. "I didn't think it was real. We knew then that we had to make them work a little harder and keep them honest. We were definitely aware of what they had."
Goligoski and Mark Letestu scored goals within a three-minute span covering the first and second periods to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-1 victory over the undermanned New Jersey Devils Monday.
The Devils fell to 0-2-1, their worst start since the 2001-02 season.
The Devils played the game with a franchise-low 15 healthy skaters due to injuries to Anton Volchenkov and Brian Rolston. They also waived forward Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond just as he was supposed to begin a one-game suspension for instigating a fight against Washington.
The Devils began the season with only 20 players due to salary cap limitations.
Elias scored a third-period goal to cut the Penguins' lead in half, but Brent Johnson made nine saves over the final nine minutes to secure the victory.
Johnson made 30 saves in all to earn the win. Martin Brodeur made 28 for the Devils.
Former Devils defenseman Paul Martin, who signed with Pittsburgh over the summer, scored on an empty net with 10.9 seconds left. Martin also had an assist Monday.
