The stakes were simple: The New Jersey Devils were trying to extend their unbeaten streak to a season-high 10 games and the NY Rangers were looking to end a three-game losing slump.

In the end, Brendon Shanahan's one-timer beat Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur 30 seconds into overtime, and reversed both trends for the time being.

After a scoreless regulation, the first time in this storied rivalry, former Devils forward Scott Gomez passed to Shanny, who beat Brodeur with his 10th this season and 637th of his marvelous career.

Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score in the first 60 minutes of play.  But, as expected, Brodeur and Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist kept this game netted at zero with excellent goaltending.

Brodeur (14-10-2) made 28 saves in the loss and Lundqvist (15-11-1) only had to tend to 17 Devils’ shots in earning his fifth shutout of the season.

Head coach Brent Sutter was frustrated by the Devils’ play in the first period, in which they managed just four shots on net.  In fact, no Devils skater managed more than three shots the entire 60-plus minutes of play (just pathetic).

Travis Zajac, Colin White, Michael Rupp, Rod Pelley, Paul Martin, Arron Asham, and Sheldon Brookbank combined for zero shots and four penalty minutes.

The Devils finished 0-for-3 on their three power plays, but held the Rangers to zero goals on five man advantages.

Either, credit either teams’ defenses or sloppy and inefficient puck-handling in the opponents' offensive zones for this low-scoring affair.

With the loss, the Devils (16-10-3) still remain in first place in the Atlantic Division, while the Rangers’ (16-12-2) victory pushed them into a second-place tie with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in arguably the most competitive division in the league.

The Devils have no time to rest as they travel to the Nation's Capital for a rematch with Washington tomorrow evening.  The Rangers follow the Devils to D.C. for a matchup with the Capitals on Wednesday night.

Notes:

Kevin Weekes (2-0-1, 2.30 GAA, and a .910SV%) may earn his fourth start in net tomorrow, giving Brodeur a rest after starting 12 straight.

Scoring Woes:

Jamie Langenbrunner’s recent struggles continue (one assist last four games) after being named captain prior to Friday night’s 3-2 win over Atlanta.  He earned nine points the previous five games and has yet to score since the two goals on Nov. 14th, his first game of the season (offseason sports hernia surgery).

Sophomore Travis Zajac only tallied once during the month of November, before the team’s nine-game run, once this month, and merely five thus far in his offensive drought.

Hudson Rivals:

The Devils are 0-2-2 against the Rangers this season.

Shutouts:

New Jersey was shutout for the sixth time in the '07-'08 campaign, the most for them since they were blanked six times in '01-'02 (Tom Gulitti).

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