EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Viktor Kozlov is fitting in quite nicely with the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils.
The Russian forward, playing his second game with the Devils, had a goal and three assists in New Jersey's 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.
"My conditioning was a little bit better and I got my confidence back tonight," Kozlov said. "For me, every game is important. The faster I get into game shape, the easier it will be for me and the more I can bring to the team."
New Jersey acquired Kozlov from Florida on March 1 for Christian Berglund and Victor Uchevatov, but he did not make his debut until Monday night after recovering from a concussion.
Kozlov quickly found his stride against the Penguins, combining with linemates Jeff Friesen and Sergei Brylin for three goals and 11 points.
"Viktor, with his size and his shot, adds a dimension that most players can't bring," said Friesen, who had two goals and two assists. "It's pretty simple playing with him. It seems like he's a magnet on the puck. When he shoots, you get goals going to the net for rebounds."
Penguins coach Eddie Olczyk wasn't surprised to see Kozlov have such an immediate impact.
"Kozlov is a dominant player when he's been healthy," Olczyk said. "Friesen is a guy who can create plays with his speed. Those guys are solid players."
Scott Clemmensen was beneficiary of the Devils offensive outburst.
Clemmensen, making his third career start with Martin Brodeur getting a break after starting 13 straight games, made 14 saves for his second victory -- both against Pittsburgh.
Scott Niedermayer, John Madden and Paul Martin added goals for the Devils, who stretched their winning streak to two.
Matt Hussey scored for the Penguins with 6:52 remaining, spoiling Clemmensen's shutout bid. It was Hussey's second goal in two games since being recalled from the minors on Tuesday.
Friesen and Niedermayer scored in a 1:21 span early in the first period to help the Devils take control.
Friesen got the Devils started at 1:59 when he backhanded the rebound from Kozlov's shot past Sebastien Caron.
Niedermayer promptly followed with a slapper from the top of the right circle 1:21 later.
Friesen closed out the opening-period scoring on a goal-mouth scramble with 2:56 remaining.
After outshooting Pittsburgh 18-4 in the first period, the Devils added three more goals in the second to make it 6-0.
Madden scored at 5:34 and Martin and Kozlov connected in a span of 27 seconds starting at 7:20. Martin Brochu relieved Caron following Martin's goal.
Notes
- Clemmensen made his first home start.
- Colin White missed a second straight game with a neck injury as the Devils played without three of their regular defensemen. Scott Stevens missed his 34th straight game because of a concussion, and Brian Rafalski will be sidelined two to three weeks with a broken bone in his right leg.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
