Devil Domination: Marty blanks Avery, Stars

Martin Brodeur and Sean Avery were reacquainted for first time since the Devils were eliminated from the playoffs last year by the Rangers; Marty got the last laugh this time. Brodeur and the Devils played their most dominating game of the season, shutting out the Dallas Stars 5-0 tonight at the Prudential Center. With this shutout win, Brodeur moves to within five shutouts of Terry Sawchuck for most all-time and eight shy of Patrick Roy for most wins all-time.











Ed Mulholland/US Presswire (ESPN.com)

Missing Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik did not seem to slow down the Devils. They jumped to an early 1-0 lead after Zach Parise set up Jamie Langenbrunner for his first goal of the season. Langenbrunner backhanded a shot that found a hole past Star’s goalie Marty Turco. A Devil’s team that has been having problems scoring this season only needed a minute and 59 seconds to strike first. The score would remain 1-0 going into the first intermission.

It wasn’t until nine minutes into the second period that the Devils lit the lamp again. John Madden scored his second goal of the year on a shot that made it by Turco. A minute later he got his third goal of the year and second of the game, putting back a rebound to give the Devils a 3-0 lead. Turco was pulled after giving up three goals on seventeen shots.

The most exciting battle, between Avery and Brodeur, went to Brodeur. With the Devils leading 3-0, Avery had a point-black shot that Brodeur kicked away to keep the game out of reach for the Stars. The Devils took the 3-0 lead into the third period and never looked back.

The Devils were not finished though. Parise scored his fourth goal of the year, from Andy Greene and Travis Zajac, on a rebound shot past backup goalie Tobias Stephan. It took David Clarkson another minute to find the back of the net with a slapshot from the blue line. The Devils offensive onslaught was their best of the season. Their defense wasn’t too shabby either. Devils only allowed 21 shots on goal; Brodeur got all of them.

The Devils powerplay came into the game struggling, going 1-11 in their last three games. Struggles continued tonight as they went 0-4. This broke a five game streak in which Dallas let up a powerplay goal. Luckily for New Jersey, they were able to also stop the Stars on four powerplay opportunities.

The Devils are now 5-1 on the season. This is their best start since 2002. They move ahead of idle Pittsburgh, and are only three points behind the first place Rangers. New Jersey has played three less games than New York. The Devils next game will be Friday night against long-time rival Philadelphia. This will be the first of back-to-back games on back-to-back nights against the still win-less Flyers.


Notes:

Devils have won 6 of last 8 meetings with the Stars.
Devils have only allowed 9 goals in their first 6 games.
Pierre-Luc Leblond got his first point in his NHL debut.