Five different players scored goals and New Jersey improved to 3-0 versus Carolina this season with a 5-1 win in front of 16,182. With the victory, the Devils improved to 4-0-1 in their last five games and captured a share of first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Although they have played two games this past weekend on consecutive nights, the Devils were healthier and more effective than the Hurricanes.

Travis Zajac’s wrist shot beat backup netminder John Grahame, giving New Jersey an early 1-0 lead, just 2:02 into the matchup. Dainius Zubrus had the primary assist on Zajac’s 13th and Sheldon Brookbank picked up his first point since Dec. 29.

Carolina head coach Peter Laviolette likely started Grahame due to his 2.07 goals against average versus New Jersey, third lowest of all time.

However, Grahame allowed five goals and failed to extend the Hurricanes two-point cushion in the Southeast Division.

With two seconds left on Niclas Wallin’s two-minute holding infraction, defenseman Mike Mottau extended New Jersey’s lead to 2-0. Travis Zajac’s shot deflected off Grahame and through defenseman Frantisek Kaberle’s legs before Mottau put it in the net. Zajac and Brian Gionta assisted on Mottau’s fourth at 7:18, which turned out to be the game-winner (his first game-winner of the season.

The Devils blueliners have now accounted for 48 points in their last 20 games.

In his first game since Dec. 29, spanning 21 contests, Brookbank earned his fifth assist of the season.

Andy Greene also returned to the lineup for the first time since Feb. 9, replacing Karel Rachunek and Vitaly Vishnevski on the blue line. Tom Gulitti reported that Devils head coach Brent Sutter was dissatisfied with their production against Saturday, benching them on Monday.

It's also possible that GM Lou Lamoriello is interested in getting Greene and Brookbank ice time as the trade period approaches its Feb. 26 deadline.

Lamoriello flew to Napels, Fla. on Sunday for three days of meetings, discussing league policies, rules and trades.

In the meanwhile, I believe the "Madden for Holik" offer is off the table.

Carolina had entered the contest without eight starters, including captain Rod Brind’Amour, whose torn ACL on Thursday required season-ending surgery. Justin Williams, David Tanabe, Dennis Seidenberg, Patrick Eaves, Chad LaRose, Erik Cole and 15-year veteran Ray Whitney comprised the other Hurricanes who did not suit up on President’s Day’s afternoon matinee.

Later in the period, Arron Asham continued his physical play, fighting and earning a misconduct penalty in addition to a roughing minor. The officials assigned him 17 first period penalty minutes.

On Friday, Asham missed his shootout attempt in the tenth round, securing Atlanta’s come-from-behind win. He rebound the next day, scoring twice in the one-goal difference.

Just 68 seconds into the middle frame, John Madden led a 3-on-1 breakout. Madden threaded the needle to Jay Pandolfo cutting towards the net.

Pandolfo’s 11th expanded New Jersey’s lead to three goals for the second straight contest.

On Saturday night, the Devils visited Ottawa, leaping to a 3-0 edge. The Senators pulled with one at 3-2 but could not tie the score, falling by that margin.

Carolina finally got on the board at 6:17 of the second.

Jeff Hamilton took advantage of a Zach Parise turnover, firing the puck past Martin Brodeur’s usually impenetrable glove.

It was the only mistake Brodeur made.

Brodeur had backstopped the Devils to victory over the Senators on Saturday with 37 saves.

The Devils quickly restored their three-goal lead nearly three and half minutes after Hamilton's sixth of the season.

Johnny Oduya blasted a shot from the point at 9:28, eluding Grahame. Zubrus and Gionta continued their success today, gathering their second assists on Oduya’s fourth of the season.

In the final 20 minutes, the Devils continued their onslaught, finalizing the five-goal outburst. While skating four men aside, Parise tipped in Elias’ shot with three seconds remaining in regulation.

Elias and Greene assisted on Parise’ 23rd at 19:57. Parise has now tallied in three consecutive games.

Although he has not produced a goal since Feb. 4, Elias has added six helpers during the Devils five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Brodeur made 21 saves in his 18th straight start between the pipes. Kevin Weekes has not spelled Brodeur in net since Jan. 5.

The Devils have defeated the Hurricanes 4-1, 6-1 and 5-1 this season with one more meeting remaining (a week from Tuesday in Raleigh).

Notes:

New Jersey remains in Newark to host San Jose on Wednesday night, before welcoming the Islanders this weekend.

After today’s loss, the Hurricanes return home for an important six-game home stretch against three divisional rivals and the Devils, Rangers and Bruins.

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