PITTSBURGH — David Clarkson is well on his way to proving his 30-goal season last season for the New Jersey Devils was no fluke.
Clarkson scored two goals to help the Devils beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 for the second time in as many days and extend their season-high winning streak to five games Sunday. Clarkson is tied for the second-most goals in the National Hockey League with nine in 12 games.
“I think the big thing right now is this team is winning," Clarkson said. “It doesn’t matter who’s scoring. The puck’s going in, but it doesn’t matter who it is. We’re doing good things."
Ilya Kovalchuk also scored for the Devils, who ended the Penguins’ five-game winning streak in the first installment of the home-and-home series on Saturday. Johan Hedberg made 23 saves as the former Penguins goalie won his first game in five starts in Pittsburgh as a member of the visiting team (1-4-1).
Tomas Vokoun made 20 saves in his first start at home and James Neal scored Pittsburgh’s only goal 15 seconds into the third period while on the power play. Sidney Crosby, who saw his season-long six-game point streak end Saturday, was held without a point for the second-straight game.
The Penguins allowed a season-low four shots on goal in the first period, but Clarkson scored his eighth goal on a 2-on-1 with Patrik Elias to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead at 13:06. The Devils are now 7-0-1 this season when scoring first.
Also on Sunday:
Blackhawks 3
Predators 0
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Marcus Kruger and Jonathan Toews each scored 66 seconds apart in the second period, and Chicago remained the NHL’s lone undefeated team in regulation by beating Nashville.
Red Wings 3
Kings 2
DETROIT — Jonathan Ericsson scored with 5 seconds left to lift Detroit past Los Angeles.
Rangers 5
Lightning 1
NEW YORK — Carl Hagelin had two goals and an assist, and Henrik Lundqvist made 19 saves in the New York Rangers’ victory over Tampa Bay that extended the Lightning’s losing streak to four games.
Bruins 3
Sabres 1
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Patrice Bergeron scored the go-ahead goal on a third-period power play in leading hot-starting Boston past Buffalo.
Oilers 3
Blue Jackets 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Magnus Paajarvi scored a go-ahead short-handed goal with 3:10 remaining and Devan Dubnyk made 39 saves as Edmonton snapped a five-game losing streak.
