John Madden gave New Jersey their first lead and Sergei Brylin delivered the knockout punch, defeating San Jose 3-2 and sending the Sharks to their fifth straight loss. After a scoreless first period, the Sharks took the 1-0 lead, taking advantage of a Vitaly Vishnevksi penalty 35 seconds into the middle frame.  However, the Devils scored the next three goals, all in the second, including Madden and Brylin’s 1:10 apart, before a late Kyle McLaren tally in the third, finishing the count.

While the Devils are heading in the right direction with their fifth win in six games last night over San Jose, the Sharks are slowly fading away from the postseason.

Playing in front of a small weekday crowd of 13,855, the Devils managed only four shots on net during the opening period. However, they killed off two penalties, holding San Jose to just six shots on goalie Martin Brodeur.

While Brodeur started his 20th consecutive game last night, reserve netminder Thomas Greiss spelled Evgeni Malkin in net for San Jose. Brodeur finished with another solid performance, turning away 30 of 32 shots.  However, Greiss, who made his second career start, only stopped 17 saves in the loss.

With Vishnevski in the box for interference, the Sharks caught a break when the puck bounced off the end boards and caromed under Brodeur. Jonathan Cheechoo tipped it past the 14-year veteran, putting San Jose in front 1-0. Milan Michalek and Patrick Marleau assisted on Cheechoo’s 16th.

Cheechoo is on pace for his third consecutive lowest output with 25 goals, less than his 37 produced last year and less than half of his franchise-record setting 56 in the 2005-06 campaign.

The Devils contain a player in a similar situation, Brian Gionta, who broke the franchise record two seasons back, tallying 48 goals. However, in an injury-riddled 2006-07, Gionta slumped to 25 and down to 15 thus far. Gionta snapped his five-game point streak, failing to produce any points last night.

His teammates carried the load in his place.

The Patrik Elias, captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise line continued its recent success, netting the equalizer at 7:56.

Langenbrunner sent the puck into the Sharks zone and Parise snuck it past Greiss, who raced out his net to play the puck, which sat between the hash marks.

Parise matched a career high with his fourth straight goal. Although Elias has not scored since Feb. 4, he has become the Devils best friend, assisting on 8 goals during the Devils 5-0-1 unbeaten streak. Langenbrunner has 9 points and a +6 this month, with four games left in February.

With 4:04 left in the period, Brodeur kept this game tied at one apiece. As the puck headed toward the net, Brodeur blindly swatted it out of midair.

This was the turning point.

Just one minute later, Madden broke the tie, stuffing the puck past Greiss. Defenseman Paul Martin carried it into the Sharks zone, Brylin moved it around the net, where Madden was stationed and awaiting the juicy opportunity. Brylin and Martin assisted on Madden 16th.

Madden now has 35 points in 59 games, well in range of surpassing his 41-point 2002-03 season.

Elias and Pandolfo helped extend the Devils lead to 3-1. Brylin received a feed from Pandolfo who collected one from Elias, beating Greiss from atop the middle circle with 1:54 remaining.

Madden and Brylin scored 70 seconds apart, taking life out of the Sharks, who have now lost five straight, including their first three on the eight-game road trip.

In fact, all five Devils skaters touched the puck on Brylin’s sixth goal and second point of the game, both firsts since Feb. 2.

The Sharks rallied for a late goal with 6:06 left in the third, but failed to gain a point for the fourth consecutive game. They have no time to recover, as they visit Philadelphia tonight for their second game in 48 hours.

San Jose has 70 points, tied with Calgary and two points ahead of Vancouver. The Sharks may have to acquire a scorer before the trade deadline on Tuesday. They have 156 goals, the fewest among western conference playoff teams.

With the win, the Devils advanced into first place in the Atlantic Division and a tie with Ottawa for the eastern conference lead.

They remain at home, hosting the resurgent Islanders, who have won five straight, on Friday. The Devils have to find a way to beat the Islanders, who are 5-0 thus far versus New Jersey.

Notes:

Colin White did not play last night due to an upper body injury. Vitaly Vishnevski replaced him in the lineup.

Tom Gulitti reported that head coach Brent Sutter’s wife and daughter attended the game last night.

Jay Pandolfo’s assist was his 200th career point.

GM Lou Lamoriello returned from the GM Meetings, but has not made any trades yet. Stay tuned.

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