Albany Devils Weekly Report 11-12

The Albany Devils have been on quite the hot streak while one Albany Devil makes his return to the lineup. This and more on this week's edition of the Albany Devils Weekly Report.

The Albany Devils have been one of the hottest teams in the AHL. The Devils have earned at least one point in six consecutive home contests with wins against Adirondack, Hamilton, Binghamton, and twice against Norfolk (Friday 11/11 and Friday 11/4). They did collect a point in a shootout lost against the Connecticut Whale. But keep in mind Connecticut is the top team in the northeast division.

Last Friday (11/4) the Devils beat the Norfolk Admirals 1-0 in a shutout. This was the 19th shutout in the club's history and the first over at the TU Center. In addition, in that contest the Devils did not commit a single penalty. This was the second time in the team's history this had ever happened. This last time happened while they were members of the Lowell Devils back on March 16, 2008 against the Manchester Monarchs.

The Albany Devils have also gotten support thanks to their red hot starting goaltender. Keith Kinkaid collected his first career shutout against the Norfolk Admirals on last Friday night. Kinkaid on the season has a 1.98 goals-against average, good for fifth in the AHL and a .930 save percentage, which is tied for sixth in the league.

Head coach of the Albany Devils Rick Kowalsky has certainly been happy of the team's performance as of late with their latest streak. Kowalsky also spoke on the number of home games played versus only four played on the road so far early on in this season.

You got to try to get comfortable on the road in small spurts knowing that later in the season we're going to get swamped with consecutive road games. We've had an advantage with being able to tag up at home. We're able to get a road game in while being able to sleep in our own beds. There's no question that with this many home  games early, there's going to come a stretch in the schedule where we need to win on the road. -Albany Devils Head Coach Rick Kowalsky-

On Saturday night, the Albany Devils welcomed back one of their players, Tim Sestito, who was suspended for 5 games due to a match penalty with a check to the head over a week ago. Rick Kowalsky also spoke about Sestito's return to the lineup.

After last night we had some bumps and bruises and some physical tolls. To get a veteran guy, a center, will be huge for us. -Rick Kowalsky-

The Albany Devils take on the Syracuse Crunch in Syracuse Saturday night. Then return home on Sunday for an afternoon tilt against the Toronto Marlies. It'll be the first ever meeting between the Albany Devils and Toronto.

Statistics and news provided by The Albany Devils PR