Let the record show that this is not Jordan Staal's first scoring slump in the NHL.

It's just the first that might be as easy to measure in months as in minutes.

---

Scouting report

• Matchup: New Jersey Devils at Penguins, 7:38 p.m. today, Mellon Arena.
• TV, radio: FSN Pittsburgh; WXDX-FM (105.9).
• Probable goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury for Penguins. Martin Brodeur for Devils.
• Penguins: Will wrap up stretch of nine consecutive games inside Atlantic Division after going 2-5-1 in first eight. ... LW Gary Roberts does not have goal in 14 games. ... Are 0-3 in games played on Wednesdays.
• Devils: Have won both previous games at Mellon Arena, 5-4 Oct. 17 and 3-2 Nov. 12. ... RW Brian Gionta has two goals in past 10 games. ... Road penalty-killing ranks 27th in NHL, with success rate of 76.7 percent.
• Hidden stat: Penguins are 3-0 when RW Georges Laraque gets a point despite being 4-7-1 when he is in lineup.

---

Staal enters the Penguins' game at 7:38 p.m. today against New Jersey at Mellon Arena with one goal and one assist in 20 games -- and none of either in the past 13. He got his only goal Oct. 20, his lone assist a week earlier.

That's a serious dry spell for a guy who put up 29 goals and 13 assists in 81 games his rookie season, when he never went more than five games without a point.

Fact is, Staal said yesterday he has not experienced anything like this since his first winter with Peterborough in the Ontario Hockey League.

"I didn't score my first goal for something like 30 games, I think," he said.

Staal has scored on one of 28 shots this season, a success rate of 3.6 percent that is the lowest among the 15 Penguins who have at least one goal.

"Obviously, my confidence isn't at its peak," he said.

That's been evident in the way he's playing.

Staal, like most players, tends to become less assertive and more tentative when he struggles offensively. At 6 foot 4, 200 pounds, he can be an imposing physical presence but has not been driving to the net with the fury he regularly showed as a rookie.

"I don't want to take risks sometimes, when maybe that's the best play," he said. "I have to go to the net, try beating guys one-on-one down low and moving my feet down there. If I do that, I'll create more chances and hopefully get on a roll."

Coach Michel Therrien, for one, agrees.

"He has to get his nose dirty," Therrien said. "Go to the areas where he's going to be able to score some goals."

One place where Staal won't be scoring any goals is Peterborough. Staal is not old enough, per the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, to play in the American Hockey League, so the Penguins would have to return him to his junior club if they decided he didn't merit a place on the major-league roster.

Such a move, general manager Ray Shero said yesterday, hasn't been considered. And won't be.

"He's an NHL player and, his age aside, he proved last year that he can play in this league and play well," Shero said. "I think Jordan will be a lot better served [being] here."

Shero said the idea of Staal competing in the world junior championships next month has not been discussed. But, while he apparently won't be getting a new team, Staal will have a new position, sort of, tonight. After working on Evgeni Malkin's left wing for several games, he's moving back to center because of a high ankle sprain that will force Maxime Talbot to miss at least three games.

Staal skated between Gary Roberts and Tyler Kennedy in practice yesterday and figures to be there tonight.

"Like I've said before, I'll play wherever they put me," he said. "And, hopefully, I can play well."

Truth be told, he actually has done that through the first 20 games. In the defensive zone, anyway. Staal has been an effective penalty-killer and solid in his own end, which undoubtedly has helped him to retain his place in the lineup.

"He's doing a lot of good things to help the team," Therrien said. ""You have to give the kid some credit, because he doesn't try to cheat [to get scoring chances]. He tries to stick to the plan."

Getting some offense from Staal is part of that plan. And it certainly is a priority for him.

"I have to get myself focused," he said. "And, obviously, play better."

His bosses seem convinced he will. Soon. And without anyone doing something extreme.

"I believe his game will come around," Shero said. "He's an NHL player, and a big part of this team moving forward."