(Sports Network) - After playing seven of their first 10 games on the road to begin the season, the Anaheim Ducks return to the Honda Center tonight for the first time in nearly two weeks to host the struggling New Jersey Devils.
Anaheim has gone just 2-5-0 on the road this year and split a recent four-game swing that ended in Dallas on Tuesday. The Ducks posted a 5-2 victory in that one and have alternated wins and losses over their last eight games.
George Parros' 14th career goal was an eventual game-winner in the second period, while Bobby Ryan scored twice. Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry also lit the lamp, with Selanne notching the 611th goal of his career to grab sole possession of 15th place on the NHL's all-time list ahead of Bobby Hull.
Jonas Hiller made 35 saves for the Ducks, who have yet to win back-to-back games this season.
"We found a way to win a road game in a tough building," Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said.
Forward Matt Beleskey suffered a concussion when he was hit into the boards by the Stars' Stephane Robidas, who drew a five-minute boarding penalty and was automatically suspended for a game for assessing his second game misconduct in a 41-game span. Beleskey was placed on injured reserve on Thursday.
While Beleskey is out for this game, rookie defenseman Cam Fowler could return tonight after missing the last four games with a broken nose and stiff neck.
The Devils offensive troubles this season remained in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks. New Jersey was held to two goals or fewer for the eighth time in 10 games this year and has been outscored 35-17.
New Jersey suffered its third straight loss and is just 2-7-1 overall this year. Both of those victories were shutouts by Martin Brodeur, who made 34 saves on Wednesday. Andy Greene and David Clarkson had the goals.
"I don't know if we're trying to be too cute with it or what," Greene said. "We just need to get to basics, get pucks to the net, let it open up after that. But we're out there for a reason and we've got to get that job done."
Playing the third game of a six-game swing, the Devils could use more production from Patrik Elias, who has just one goal this year. Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise and Jason Arnott share the team lead with three goals, but captain Jamie Langenbrunner is still searching for his first lamp-lighter.
The Devils posted a 3-1 win at home over the Ducks last year to snap a three- game series losing streak. New Jersey has a pair of losses and a tie in its last three trips to Anaheim.
Brodeur made 31 saves in last year's victory and is 12-6-0 with a tie and 1.87 goals-against average versus the Ducks.
Hiller has split his two career starts versus the Devils, stopping 56-of-60 shots faced, while Selanne has gone pointless in his last five when facing New Jersey. He does have nine goals and 18 points in 24 all-time matchups versus the Devils.