Getting to know you

Saturday, 09 February 2013 11:41

Written by Dave Molinari

New Jersey isn't the Penguins' most intense rivalry, but the teams should be thoroughly sick of each other by Sunday night.

The Penguins and Devils will meet for the second time in eight days this afternoon at the Prudential Center, then have a rematch little more than 24 hours later at Consol Energy Center.

Devils coach Pete DeBoer said today he likes seeing an opponent so frequently.

"I think it's good, in that it's fresh in your mind, what worked and what didn't work," he said. "Particularly for us, what didn't work last game (a 5-1 loss in Pittsburgh) and what we have to correct. Now, the job is to go out and execute."

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma doesn't seem to mind having a home-and-home with the Devils, either.

"This is two real important games against a team that's a point behind you in the standings and has a game in hand," he said. "It's going to be intense, it's going to playoff(-intensity) hockey, and we get them back to back.

"You don't often have these series where you see a team back-to-back. It's more like a college weekend. I think it's makes for interesting hockey.
You're going to feel like you play them six straight periods."