NEWARK, N.J. -- The Penguins clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 2-0 victory against New Jersey tonight at the Prudential Center.

The Penguins are 44-26-7 and lead the second-place Devils by four points in the Atlantic Division.

With forward Chris Minard (groin) unable to play, Penguins coach Michel Therrien dressed seven defensemen for the second game in a row. There was a twist, however, as he used defenseman Ryan Whitney on left wing, just as he had Brooks Orpik earlier in the season.

Ryan Malone of the Penguins had the first good scoring chance of the game, as defenseman Darryl Sydor sprung him behind the New Jersey defense with a long lead pass, but he was unable to get a backhander past goalie Martin Brodeur at 2:18 after breaking in alone.

Malone got his revenge during a power play at 5:18, however, as he took a feed from Whitney and rifled the puck past Brodeur from the left hash mark for his 27th and a 1-0 lead.

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury finished the period with nine saves, the best on a Zach Parise deflection just over nine minutes in.

The Devils thought they tied the score at 8:26 of the second, but the goal was disallowed when it was ruled that Arron Asham of New Jersey had bowled over Fleury a second or two before Sheldon Brookbank threw the puck into the net.

Marian Hossa scored an empty-net goal late in the game.