Devils Defeat Sabres, Travel to Long Island Tonight

Jeremy Kenter's picture

The New Jersey Devils (21-13-3) continued to win last night with a low-scoring, defensive-minded effort.  After tying the game at one apiece in regulation, Zach Parise scored the only goal in the shootout frame.

Goaltender Martin Brodeur outdueled Buffalo Sabres netminder Ryan Miller and did not allow any of the three Sabres' shooters to score in the shootout.

Parise fought off the flu to beat Miller for the only shootout tally and the Devils' 2-1 victory over the Sabres (19-15-2).

After a scoreless opening, one that the Devils dominated with a 13-2 shot advantage, but 0-for-2 on the power play, Sabres winger Ales Kotalik found the net at the 4:36 mark of the second period.  Paul Gaustad and Daniel Paille were credited for the assists on Kotalik's 12th of the season.

Buffalo could not add to that total even with two consecutive Devils' infractions to Johhny Oduya and then to Zach Parise.

The score remained 1-0 Buffalo until 6:23 left in regulation.  Defenseman Colin White took a shot from the point that caromed off the boards.  D Mike Mottau found the loose puck and netted the equalizer, scoring just his second of the year.

With one minute left in regulation, John Madden committed a penalty, which the Devils killed.  Buffalo went 0-for-4 on the man advantage, while New Jersey was held off the boards on its two power plays.

Both teams failed to score in the overtime period, which led to the second shootout at the Prudential Center, in front of a rare yet action-packed sellout crowd of 17,625.

Brodeur (19-12-2) made 26 saves to earn his 19th win.  Miller stopped 34 shots but fell to 17-13-2.

Notes:

Devils are 2-1 this season on tiebreakers after regulation and 2-0 at the Rock (TG)

The Devils are 1-27 on the power play over the last six games.

They have not scored on 17 straight man advantages over the previous four contests, which matches their season high (Nov. 2-5)

With the one point, Buffalo actually improved three places in the standings.  The Sabres are in a four-way tie for fifth place with 40 points and own the tiebreakers over Pittsburgh, Boston, and NY Rangers.

 




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