NHL Roundup
Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 7, 2007
Associated Press
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Martin Brodeur stopped 29 shots for his NHL-leading sixth shutout of the season and the 86th of his career, and Brian Rafalski’s unusual goal was all the New Jersey Devils needed in a 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday night.
The Devils increased their Atlantic Division lead to six points over the Islanders.
Patrick Elias scored an empty-net power-play goal with 10.6 seconds left to complete the scoring.
Rick DiPietro was solid, turning aside 36 shots, but the Islanders have now been blanked for the last 138:12, allowing only three goals in that span.
DiPietro’s home shutout streak ended at 191:04 when New Jersey scored a fluke goal 5:21 into the game. Rafalski took a rising shot from the right point that defenseman Allan Rourke tried to bat away with his glove. Instead, Rourke whiffed and DiPietro lost sight of the puck as it got by him.
Senators 3, Leafs 2, OT
TORONTO — Chris Phillips scored at 2:39 of overtime and Ottawa rallied for a victory over rival Toronto.
Ray Emery had a season-high 43 saves, and Dean McAmmond and Chris Kelly also scored for the Senators, who have won five straight.
Boyd Devereaux and Alex Steen scored for the Maple Leafs, who have lost five of six.
Predators 5, Bruins 0
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chris Mason stopped 38 shots to earn his fourth shutout of the season to lift Nashville past Boston.
Paul Kariya, David Legwand and Jerred Smithson each scored and added an assist for Nashville.
Shea Weber and Josef Vasicek also scored for the Predators.
Rangers 4, Capitals 1
NEW YORK — Petr Prucha scored two goals to help New York snap a seven-game losing skid and end a scoreless streak at 153:38 in a fight-filled victory over Washington.
Michael Nylander and Darius Kasparaitis also scored for the Rangers. Ben Clymer had the Capitals’ score.
Sabres 4, Thrashers 1
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Thomas Vanek had two goals and an assist, and Ryan Miller made 29 saves in Buffalo’s victory over Atlanta in a battle between the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Lightning 3, Canadiens 1
TAMPA, Fla. — Vinny Prospal snapped a personal 20-game goal-scoring drought with a tiebreaking second-period goal, helping Tampa Bay defeat Montreal.
Brad Richards and Filip Kuba also scored for the Lightning, who outshot Montreal 41-13.
Blues 2, Avalanche 0
ST. LOUIS — Manny Legace made 33 saves to lead St. Louis.
Legace, in his first season with the Blues after six with Detroit, is 11-1-0 against Colorado. On Friday night in Denver, he helped the Blues beat the Avs 4-2.
Coyotes 8, Sharks 0
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Curtis Joseph stopped 40 shots for his 437th win, tying Jacques Plante for fifth on the career victories list, and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the San Jose Sharks 8-0.