Devils 4, Hurricanes 1: Martin Brodeur made a spectacular return from a one-month injury absence, getting credited with a goal and turning aside 17 shots as visiting New Jersey ended its three-game winless streak.
Adam Henrique and defenseman Peter Harrold scored 46 seconds apart in the second period and Andrei Loktionov added a power-play goal as the Devils avenged two losses to Carolina and handed the Hurricanes their fifth straight defeat (0-4-1).
New Jersey had won only three times in the previous 13 games (3-8-2) without Brodeur, who etched his named into the NHL record books within the first four minutes when he was credited with his third career goal (playoffs included) - surpassing Ron Hextall for most by a goaltender.
Patrick Dwyer drew a hooking penalty on a drive to the net that was deflected by Brodeur. Carolina's Jordan Staal collected the puck behind the end line and sent a pass back to the left point that caromed off the boards and into an unguarded net as Hurricanes goalie Dan Ellis was headed to the bench for an extra attacker.
Henrique and Harrold scored just past the midway point of the middle session to give the Devils a 3-0 lead entering the final 20 minutes. Jeff Skinner spoiled Brodeur's shutout bid on the power play, ripping a bullet past him stick side at 11:27 of the third.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Brodeur became the second goaltender to score on the power play, joining current New York Islanders G Evgeni Nabokov, who accomplished the feat with the San Jose Sharks on March 10, 2002. ... Hurricanes D Bobby Sanguinetti crashed into the boards in the third period when he was tripped by Harri Pesonen and skated off the ice clutching his left arm. ... Ellis, who made 18 saves, departed in the final minute after he was cut on the leg. Justin Peters replaced him.
New Jersey | Carolina | |
Travis Zajac 2 | Points | Jeff Skinner 1 |
Martin Brodeur 1 | Goals | Jeff Skinner 1 |
Travis Zajac 2 | Assists | Eric Staal 1 |
Martin Brodeur 1 | Power Play Goals | Jeff Skinner 1 |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Martin Brodeur .944 | Save Percentage | Dan Ellis .818 |
Martin Brodeur 17 | Saves | Dan Ellis 18 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
New Jersey | 22 | 4 | 2-3 | 1-2 | 10 | 30 |
Carolina | 18 | 1 | 1-2 | 1-3 | 12 | 23 |