Post-Game Buzz: Pens fall to Devils 3-2; Round 1 scenarios include Sens, Isles & NYR

The Penguins dropped their second straight game, a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night at the Prudential Center.

The Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead getting a first period goal from Matt Cooke (7) and Jussi Jokinen (11) scored a power play goal in the second, but a Travis Zajac goal with a 1:27 left in the second period cut the Penguins lead to 2-1 and was a momentum changing goal.

New Jersey carried the play in the third period and David Clarkson scored a power play goal at 3:01 of the third period and Ilya Kovalchuk netted the game winner with 6:10 left in regulation.

The Penguins were outshot 32-18 in the loss.

Marc Andre Fleury has lost in consecutive games and is now out of contention to end up leading the league in wins.

The Penguins wrapup the regular season Saturday night at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators clinched playoff berths (Winnipeg Jets Eliminated) tonight with overtime wins and with three days remaining in the regular season, round 1 scenarios for the Penguins include the Senators, Islanders or Rangers.

All three teams are tied with 54 points but the Senators with two games remaining control their destiny in avoiding the Eastern Conference favorite Pittsburgh Penguins in a 1-8 playoff matchup. The Senators host the Flyers Saturday night and wrapup the regular season Sunday in Boston.

The Islanders with one game remaining, end the regular season tomorrow night in Buffalo. The Rangers close out the season with a Saturday afternoon home game against the Devils.

Of the three, the Senators are the most favorable matchup for the Penguins but the Penguins will be heavy favorites against all three.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (47 GP – 35 – 12 – 0 – 70 Pts)

2. Boston Bruins (46 GP – 28 – 13 – 5 – 61 Pts)

3. Washington Capitals (47 GP – 26 – 18 – 3 – 55 Pts)

4. Montreal Canadiens (47 GP – 28 – 14 – 5 – 61 pts)

5. Toronto Maple Leafs (47 GP – 26 – 16 – 5 – 57 pts)

6. Ottawa Senators (46 GP – 24 – 16 – 6 – 54 pts)

7. New York Rangers (47 GP – 25 – 18 – 4 – 54 Pts)

8. New York Islanders (47 GP – 24 – 17 – 6 – 54 Pts)