Monday, October 27, 2003
The score ended New Jersey's two-game losing streak.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Brian Rafalski and Brian Gionta scored their first goals of the season as New Jersey's top line produced both goals in the Devils' 2-1 victory Friday night over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Mario Lemieux got the 1,698th point of his career by setting up Pittsburgh's goal and needs two points to become the sixth player in NHL history with 1,700 points.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Devils were playing their first Atlantic Division game of the season after going 13-2-5 in division games last season.
Scott Gomez's faceoff win led to New Jersey's first goal -- by Rafalski in the first period -- and he also set up Gionta's game winner at 12:40 of the third.
Gomez steered the puck to Gionta just above the crease, and it deflected off either Gionta's skate or stick and past rookie goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who turned aside 32 of 34 shots in another excellent performance unaided by much offensive support.
The video replay judge reviewed the play, but replays did not show any distinct kicking motion by Gionta.
How it went
Devils goalie Martin Brodeur needed to make only 17 saves for the victory, which evened New Jersey's record at 2-2-2 and ended their two-game losing streak and three-game winless streak. Brodeur faced only four shots in the third period.
The Devils, who hadn't lost two straight since mid-March, took a 1-0 lead when Rafalski's seemingly harmless wrist shot from along the right wing boards appeared to deflect off a skate and past Fleury just over 14 minutes into the game.
Patrik Elias, who also assisted on Gionta's goal, directed the puck to Rafalski off Gomez's faceoff win, no doubt delighting Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, who attended the game while in Pittsburgh for a governors' conference. Gomez grew up in Alaska.
Fleury, again making a series of difficult saves as his team was badly outshot (34-18), didn't seem to believe the puck eluded him. He stared at his glove for several seconds as if thinking it might be there.
Just as he did in his first three NHL starts, all at home, Fleury toughened up after giving up the first goal, flopping to his stomach to make several saves and kicking away another shot even after losing his stick.
The Penguins have been outshot 74-37 while being outscored 8-2 in the first period. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play.
New Jersey has scored only 12 goals in its six games, and Pittsburgh has only 10 goals in its six games.