RALEIGH, N.C. -- It is not just that the Penguins have lost all four games they have played against New Jersey this season; it is that they have done it so emphatically.

The Penguins, who will face the Devils tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, have been outscored, 14-2, by New Jersey so far in 2009-10.

"None of the games seemed to be very close," Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said.

The Devils' 2-0 victory Dec. 30 was the least lopsided of the four.

"They've played some really good hockey against us," Penguins right winger Bill Guerin said. "When they're at their best, they're playing a patient, clog-the-middle type of game. We've given in to our frustrations and played into their hands a bit."

The Penguins, though, don't believe they have shown the Devils anything close to their best yet.

"Early in the season, they were playing a better team game [than the Penguins], really," Orpik said.

"They're one of those teams that, if you look at them on paper, they really don't scare you that much. But they have a group that all buys into the team game and plays it really well, in a selfless way.

"Maybe early on in the season, they were more willing to buy into that than the group we had. The way we're playing now, it should be a better indication of how we match up."

The Penguins aren't convinced that by declining to suspend left winger Matt Cooke for his hit to the head Sunday of Boston center Marc Savard -- or Philadelphia's Mike Richard for a blow to the head of Florida's David Booth earlier in the season -- the NHL effectively has declared open season for head shots.

Or that there is any reason to fear that skilled players like Penguins center Sidney Crosby will be targeted for abuse because of the precedents that have been set.

"I didn't know we were playing under 'open-season rules,' " coach Dan Bylsma said. "I don't think we are now. I don't think players go out with that intention, of going after heads.

"Is it a physical game? Do teams talk about playing physical against our skilled players? Every game, probably. I don't think that's going to change."

Cooke said he did not have a feeling, one way or the other, about whether he would be suspended, but came out staunchly in favor of a rule recommended unanimously by the league's general managers Wednesday. It would make illegal "a lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and or the principal point of contact" and subject the perpetrator to a major penalty and possible fines or suspensions.

"It does bring [clarity] to what's allowed and what's not," Cook said, adding that an outright ban on hits to the head is impractical because "the speed of the game is so great that it's impossible to do that."

Crosby was understandably delighted that the gloves and stick he was using when he scored the overtime goal that won an Olympic gold medal for Canada were recovered earlier this week. He doesn't necessarily plan to hang on to them for long, however.

Crosby said that if the Hockey Hall of Fame wants that equipment -- which it definitely does -- he will have no reservations about it going there.

"If they want it, I'm sure it will end up there," he said. "I think it would be pretty cool to have it there. I have no problem with that."

The Penguins scratched right winger Tyler Kennedy and defenseman Jay McKee for their game Thursday night against Carolina. Winger Eric Godard, who is recovering from a groin injury, did not play but did work out on the ice with conditioning coach Mike Kadar before the team's game-day skate. ... Devils left winger Ilya Kovalchuk, acquired Feb. 4 from Atlanta to add some punch to the offense, hasn't had the impact many anticipated. He has three goals and five assists in 10 games after putting up 31 goals and 27 assists in 49 games with the Thrashers.

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