The Devils were clearly frustrated after they allowed the Sabres to to tie the game with 1:37 remaining in regulation, preventing goalie Martin Brodeur from earning yet another shutout. Instead of succumbing in the last 90 seconds plus overtime, they regrouped and captured the 2-1 shootout win.

After the NHL locked out the 2004-05 season, league officials added a sudden death shootout, involving three skaters from each team.  For the second time in 12 days, this benefited the Devils, who competed in front of 14,030 and relied on a former captain for some support.

After Ales Kotalik and Brian Gionta traded shooutout goals through the first two rounds, Brodeur, Eastern Conference's starting goaltender for the upcoming All-Star Game, stopped Thomas Vanek’s attempt in the third and final round.

With everyone on his or her feet, the PA announcer called for Patrik Elias’s name.

Earlier this season, head coach Brent Sutter lacked the confidence in Elias, who had not only managed 5-for-16 in his career on the shootout (TG), but was making his first appearance of the season in this regard.

“When Elias was struggling earlier this season, Sutter did not use him in the shootout,” Tom Guliti said. “With Elias' game and his confidence on the rise now, Sutter penciled him in to shoot third on Sabres goalie Ryan Miller on Tuesday.”

There were other viable options for New Jersey, right?

Not tonight.

In the first period, Andy Greene scored a power play goal on a crisp cross-ice feed from Elias, whose reign wearing the “C” was short-lived.

The Devils, who scored a power play goal for the fourth consecutive game, improved to 16-3 when they manufacture points on the man advantage.

Continuing their stifling defense pressure, they only committed one minor infraction, which they effectively killed off with no damage done.

The Devils have now killed off their opponents’ last 12 power play opportunities and moved to 12-4-2 when doing so.

In the final 45 minutes, Brodeur preserved the win with 24 saves, to improve to 22-13-2 for the season.

Brodeur was close to earning his 97th career shutout before Sabres’ Jason Pominville, Clarke MacArthur and Jochen Hecht forced overtime and created some an offensive spark for the Sabres, who have not won since Dec. 22, including three overtime defeats (0-4-3).

Pominville finished the play for his 10th goal of the season, even faking the referee who did not point to the Devils net, indicating a goal.

While the apprehensive Devils and fans alike were stunned after they allowed the Sabres’ late goal, Brodeur and Elias made sure they had the last laugh at the Prudential Center.

Brodeur also made important saves on Alex Kotalik in the second period and another three in the overtime session.

Finally, it was Elias’ turn to shine and preserve the Devils one-point edge in the standings since Pittsburgh had won its road contest last night over Florida 3-1.  Ty Conklin (8-0-0) earned his eighth consecutive win since the team called him up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

The Devils, who re-signed the talented Elias to a seven-year, $42 million deal back in July 2006, watched him produce when it mattered most.  He shook off early season jitters with a winner glove side last night.

Elias did not receive statistical credit for the shootout tally.  Otherwise, he would have bumped his game winners to six, which would tie him with Jarome Iginla for most in the league.

With the power-play first-period helper, Elias has four points in his last three games since returning from a strained groin that sidelined him for two games.

The Devils improved to 24-15-3 with the 2-1 win, while Buffalo’s setback reached December’s 4-19, 2003 mark of seven.  The Sabres fell to 19-18-4 with the loss.

The Devils travel to Carolina on Thursday before a third rematch with Buffalo in Orchard Park this weekend.

On Dec. 27, Mike Mottau tied the game 1-1 late in the third period, before Zach Parise scored the lone goal in the shootout, to give the Devils the 2-1 win over Buffalo.

The Sabres have one a road meeting with Eastern-Conference leading Ottawa (27-10-4), before hosting New Jersey on Saturday night.

Injury Bug:

Karel Rachunek (ankle), Jay Pandolfo (pelvic/abdomen), and Cam Janssen (dislocated right shoulder) were unavailable versus Buffalo.  Rachunek has missed the last seven games, Pandolfo the last 18, and Janssen has not played this season.  All three players resumed skating and their timetables to return are unknown, except for Rachunek who is day-to-day. 

Defenseman Sheldon Brookbank was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight contest.

C Derek Roy (shoulder), LW Daniel Paille (concussion) and RW Maxim Afinogenov (groin), who start for Buffalo, missed the game with their respective injuries.

Reinforcements:

Although G Kevin Weekes pulled a muscle in a rare start on Saturday at Boston, a loss nonetheless, he was healthy enough to back up Brodeur on the bench.

New Home, Similar Results:

The Devils improved to 13-5-0 at their new arena, after starting 3-4-0 at the Rock.  After a small road trip to Carolina and Buffalo, they play 15 of 18 at the Prudential Center.

Road Less Traveled:

The Devils have not shown as much consistency away from home yet, which did include an early record-tying nine-game road trip (3-5-1), when the new arena was still under construction.  More recently, they are 3-4-1 away from home in the last eight.

Month by month Analysis:

On the Road: 11-10-3…

Oct: 3-5-1

Nov: 5-1-1

Dec: 3-3-1

Jan: 0-1 thus far with three more to go…

In my humble opinion, the road is a very difficult place to in professional sports.  To maintain a winning record is just phenomenal.  The Devils rank ninth with the 25 points achieved and travel to beatable locations.  Carolina is only 10-8-2 at home and only 7-10-1 since Dec. 1.  Similarly, Buffalo, which has lost seven in a row, is slightly better at home, with an 11-8-1 record.  After an impressive six game win streak, they have lost three straight at HSBC Arena.  They have not won at home in nearly four weeks, since Dec. 21.

Shootouts:

Devils are 3-1 in the shootouts thus far.

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