nhl roundup Friday’s games

December 20, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Devils 5, Senators 1

NEWARK, N.J. —Speedy Patrik Elias and the New Jersey Devils left the slumping Ottawa Senators way behind. Elias had two goals and two assists to help the Devils beat the Senators. Elias has 11 goals and 27 points in the last 15 games. “The team is playing well,” Elias said. “Sometimes you go through these streaks. We just have to keep it going. I’m having fun out there, making plays. When they go in, they go in. When they don’t, I’ll just keep working the same way.” Devils coach Brent Sutter said Elias is using his speed to maximum advantage. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence,” Sutter said. “He’s taken his game to a level that everybody would like to see. His work ethic has always been good. He’s moving his feet more. He’s doing things at top speed, and he’s reading situations so well.” Elias wasn’t the only one enjoying a big night at the Senators’ expense. Brian Gionta, Johnny Oduya and Travis Zajac also scored, and Scott Clemmensen, ably subbing for the injured Martin Brodeur, made 24 saves in the Devils’ 11th win in their last 14 games. Clemmensen, making his first career start against Ottawa, is 10-1-1 in his last 12 decisions. Zach Parise was the key playmaker with four assists. “It was a good effort by everybody tonight,” Parise said. “It was one of those nights where I was putting pucks on sticks and they were putting them in.” Jarkko Ruutu scored for Ottawa. The Senators are 1-4-1 in their last six games.

Sabres 5, Kings 0

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ryan Miller made 40 saves for his third shutout of the season and 10th of his career, and Derek Roy had a goal and two assists for Buffalo. Drew Stafford had a goal and assist, and Adam Mair, Clarke MacArthur and Matt Ellis also scored to help the Sabres snap a two-game home losing streak.Buffalo improved to 5-2 in its last seven.The Kings have lost three straight to drop to 13-13-6. The Sabres were without Paul Gaustad (upper body), captain Craig Rivet (shoulder) and rookie forward Nathan Gerbe (upper body).

Wild 4, Islanders 1

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Colton Gillies scored his first NHL goal, helping Minnesota snap a six-game losing streak and extend New York’s losing streak to eight. Stephane Veilleux, Mikko Koivu and Pierre-Marc Bouchard also scored for the Wild. Former Minnesota player Richard Park scored for the Islanders.

Associated Press