Depleted Penguins blanked
Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J.
For the first time all season, Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils are playing like the team that was a perennial Stanley Cup contender.
Although the Devils still have the NHL’s worst record, they’re scoring goals, playing defense and most of all, they’re finally winning.
Brodeur and the suddenly revived Devils took advantage of the absence of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 on Thursday night.
“It has been a hard season,” said Brodeur, who stopped 23 shots in his record 114th regular-season shutout. “Hopefully, we’ve turned the page and we’re moving on. I know I need to continue to work on the right things in my game to be able to play like that every night.”
Brodeur had a relatively easy night in posting his fourth shutout of the season and giving New Jersey points in a season-high five straight games (4-0-1).
The Devils’ forwards bottled up Pittsburgh in the neutral zone and the 38-year-old goalie had a clear view on most of the Penguins’ shots.
“Shutouts are always fun but it’s all about winning, especially now,” Brodeur said. “They will happen when you play well. Guys commit themselves and I’m going to make the saves that need to be made.”
Brian Rolston and rookie Nick Palmieri scored for the Devils (14-29-3), who are still more than 20 points out of a playoff spot.
The Devils’ current streak started when Brodeur took back the starting job from Johan Hedberg. During that span he has allowed 10 goals and the offense has responded with 20.
The Penguins didn’t offer much resistance with Crosby and Malkin sidelined in the same regular-season game for the first time since the 2006-07 season, Malkin’s rookie year.