Scoring his first in 13 games, Brian Gionta gave New Jersey an important 3-2 overtime decision over Ottawa last night. After circling around the net, Gionta found a loose rebound and slipped it through Martin Gerber's legs. Captain Jamie Langenbrunner assisted on Gionta's 14th of the season at 2:14 of the extra frame. In the process, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur extended his NHL record 30-win seasons to a 12th straight year. The man he trails in career victories, Patrick Roy, only managed 8 consecutive 30-win seasons.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, the Devils produced two goals in 1:52 of the middle frame. With Ottawa on the power play, Langenbrunner swiped the puck, came down the left side and blasted a slapshot past Gerber five hole. Patrik Elias was credited with an assist on Langenbrunner’s 10th at 6:12.

Less than two minutes later, defenseman Karel Rachunek gave New Jersey its first lead of the game. With both teams on a 4-on-4, Zach Parise found Rachunek cutting towards the net. Elias had the other helper on Rachunek’s fourth at 8:04.

The Devils blueliners have now tallied 14 goals in the last 17 games, including 4 in the previous contest. On Saturday night, the D-men tallied four times for the first time since 1991. Paul Martin tallied his first career two-goal effort, while Colin White added yet another goal. White had not scored in 125 games before notching one earlier this month.   

The Senators were losing 2-1, but certainly not finished.

At 15:29, Randy Robitaille picked up a loose puck, carried it into the Devils zone and potted one by Brodeur. Christoph Schuber and Luke Richardson added assists on Robitaille’s 10th.

Richardson added a goal in the opening period, which gave the Senators the early 1-0 edge. Jason Spezza and Dean McAmmond helped Richardson score his second of the season at 5:25.

The second period was filled with penalties, seven in all, but no power play tallies.

Both teams were very nervous in the final 20 minutes, only manufacturing a combined 10 shots on net (Ottawa, 6 & New Jersey 4) after taking 43 in the first two periods.

The Devils had numerous opportunities to bring home the two points in regulation, including two third-period man advantages. However, the Senators held tight, keeping the score knotted at 2-2.

In addition, John Madden had his second breakaway chance in the stanza, getting robbed by Gerber. In the first period, he broke free shorthanded but was stopped by the Senators netminder.

Although the Devils led 31-25 in shots on goal, they failed to score on 6 power plays, The Senators could not score on 4 power plays.

In the process, Brodeur improved to 30-19-3 on the 2007-08 campaign. With 524 wins, he is 27 shy on Roy’s all time record.

Since Pittsburgh lost, the Devils closed the gap to one point in the Atlantic Division. However, Montreal also won in overtime, maintaining a 59-58 point edge over New Jersey for fourth place in the conference standings.

New Jersey stays home to host Atlanta on Friday night.

Despite losing for the second time in two nights, the Senators picked up an important point. They remain in first place in the eastern conference, holding a 73-69 point differential over the Habs.

Ottawa’s next game is a home contest versus the Devils on Saturday night. This time, the Devils will be facing their second opponent in consecutive nights.

Notes:

Only 12,339 people attended Wednesday’s night contest, the smallest crowd at the Prudential Center this season.

Elias now has 4 points (all assists) in his last two games.

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