I enjoyed the VERSUS telecast of the Devils game on Monday night. Nevertheless, I am glad that FSNY will return to its normal duty for Wednesday night's Devils-Sabres game at 7 o'clock. The Devils are playing their fourth and final meeting with Buffalo this season. Since the first three ended with Devils' shootout wins, Buffalo may want to seal a win in regulation.

Not so fast.

New Jersey has won two straight, including a 4-3 overtime win over Pittsburgh. The workhorse Martin Brodeur made 31 saves, improving to 28-18-2. The Devils expect him to start opposite Ryan Miller, who is 22-17-5.

While the Devils are accelerating to another title run, the Sabres are four points away from a playoff spot. They have been playing well lately, going 4-0-1 in their last five games (all road contests). The Sabres had lost 10 straight games spanning Dec. and Jan. (0-5-5), including three to the Devils, before erupting for a 10-1 blowout over Atlanta.

Meanwhile, New Jersey entered Tuesday night in a three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic Division. However, Philadelphia recaptured the lead, winning last night, while the NY Islanders slowly tumbled to the division's cellar, 11 points out of first place and 1-6-1 in their last 8 games.

After missing 28 games due to injury, Jay Pandolfo returned to the Devils lineup against Pittsburgh.

The Devils could not take advantage of Pandolfo’s return, down 3-1 after two periods of play.

Before they turned on the jets.

They managed to tie the score on David Clarkson's backhander over Conlkin's shoulder, before Parise became the latest Devils hero.

In overtime, Parise skated in the Penguins zone, dropping the puck back to Elias, who fired the puck at Conklin (a man of interesting nicknames including Conkblock). Parise deflected home his team-leading 20th goal of the season and his first career overtime winner. Elias and Brodeur assisted on Parise’s goal merely 37 seconds into the extra session. In doing so, Elias earned another paycheck (they’re not cheap).

In regulation, captain Jamie Langenbrunner put the Devils on the board before Elias and Clarkson scored two goals in 1:44. Elias has 10 points in his last 6 games, including 3 points in the win over the Sidney Crosby-less Penguins.

In a losing effort, Petr Skyora tallied his 600th career point. Ryan Malone and Jordan Staal added power play goals for Pittsburgh, which hosts the struggling Islanders on Thursday.

While Elias has heated up recently, I am still worried about Brian Gionta's production. He has begun to frustrate fans and his trade value is decreasing daily.

Broadcast:

TV: FSNY

Radio: WFAN 660 AM

Injury Report:

Devils:

Cam Janssen - Injured Reserve (healthy, but Devils have no room on roster to add Janssen)

Sabres:

Drew Stafford - Day-to-Day (ankle)

Maxim Afinogenov - IR (groin)

Tepp Numminen - IR (heart surgery)

Recent Meetings:

12.28.08 à Parise schools Ryan Miller in shootout, Devils win 2-1

01.08.08 à Buffalo ties game at 1-1 with 1:37 left in regulation. Gionta and Elias score in shootout, while Brodeur stops two of three Sabres skaters.

01.12.08 à Same Team, Same Result for Devils

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