GAME THREAD: NHL: WASHINGTON (9-18) at NEW JERSEY (15-12)

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 0
NEW JERSEY 2 3:15 LEFT, 2ND PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 0
NEW JERSEY 2 1:40 LEFT, 2ND PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL END OF THE 2ND 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 0 0 0
NEW JERSEY 2 0 2 END OF THE 2ND

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: NJD - VITALY VISHNEVSKI 1 (UNASSISTED) 11:42
NJD - (PP) DAINIUS ZUBRUS 6 (BRIAN GIONTA, PATRIK ELIAS)
15:57
2ND PRD: NONE

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WAS 5 8 13
NJD 12 4 16

GOALIES: WAS - OLAF KOLZIG
NJD - MARTIN BRODEUR</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">------------------------------
Washington 0 0 --0
New Jersey 2 0 --2
------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, New Jersey, Vitaly Vishnevski 1
(Unassisted), 11:42. 2, New Jersey, Dainius Zubrus 6 (power play)
(Brian Gionta, Patrik Elias), 15:57. Penalties: P Elias, Njd
(hooking), 5:03; J Schultz, Was (tripping), 14:02; B Laich, Was
(holding), 18:27.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: R Pelley, Njd (interference), 3:50; D
Zubrus, Njd (interference), 14:54; B Laich, Was (holding), 17:25; M
Green, Was (hooking), 19:26.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------
Washington 5 8 --13
New Jersey 12 4 --16
----------------------------------

Goalies : Washington, Olaf Kolzig (16 shots, 14 saves). New Jersey,
Martin Brodeur (13 shots, 13 saves). Referees: Dean Morton, Mick
Mcgeough. Linesmen: Mark Wheler, Thor Nelson.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 0
NEW JERSEY 2 19:55 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 0
NEW JERSEY 2 16:10 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 1
NEW JERSEY 2
3RD PRD: WAS - ALEXANDER SEMIN 2 (NICKLAS BACKSTROM) 5:38</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 1
NEW JERSEY 3
3RD PRD: NJD - TRAVIS ZAJAC 5 (SHELDON BROOKBANK, JAMIE LANGENBRUNNER)
6:29</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 1
NEW JERSEY 3 12:35 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 1
NEW JERSEY 3 7:18 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 1
NEW JERSEY 3 3:40 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 2
NEW JERSEY 3
3RD PRD: WAS - BROOKS LAICH 5 (VIKTOR KOZLOV, NICKLAS BACKSTROM) 18:43</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 0 0 2 2
NEW JERSEY 2 0 1 3 FINAL

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: NJD - VITALY VISHNEVSKI 1 (UNASSISTED) 11:42
NJD - (PP) DAINIUS ZUBRUS 6 (BRIAN GIONTA, PATRIK ELIAS)
15:57
2ND PRD: NONE
3RD PRD: WAS - ALEXANDER SEMIN 2 (NICKLAS BACKSTROM) 5:38
NJD - TRAVIS ZAJAC 5 (SHELDON BROOKBANK, JAMIE
LANGENBRUNNER) 6:29
WAS - BROOKS LAICH 5 (VIKTOR KOZLOV, NICKLAS BACKSTROM)
18:43

POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: WAS - 0 OF 4, NJD - 1 OF 5.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WAS 5 8 12 25
NJD 12 4 6 22

GOALIES: WAS - OLAF KOLZIG
NJD - MARTIN BRODEUR

OFFICIALS: REF - DEAN MORTON, MICK MCGEOUGH
LIN - MARK WHELER, THOR NELSON

ATT: 16,265</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 0 0 2 --2
New Jersey 2 0 1 --3
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, New Jersey, Vitaly Vishnevski 1
(Unassisted), 11:42. 2, New Jersey, Dainius Zubrus 6 (power play)
(Brian Gionta, Patrik Elias), 15:57. Penalties: P Elias, Njd
(hooking), 5:03; J Schultz, Was (tripping), 14:02; B Laich, Was
(holding), 18:27.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: R Pelley, Njd (interference), 3:50; D
Zubrus, Njd (interference), 14:54; B Laich, Was (holding), 17:25; M
Green, Was (hooking), 19:26.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Washington, Alexander Semin 2 (Nicklas
Backstrom), 5:38. 4, New Jersey, Travis Zajac 5 (Sheldon Brookbank,
Jamie Langenbrunner), 6:29. 5, Washington, Brooks Laich 5 (Viktor
Kozlov, Nicklas Backstrom), 18:43. Penalties: P Elias, Njd (holding),
16:26.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 5 8 12 --25
New Jersey 12 4 6 --22
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 0 of 4, New Jersey - 1 of 5.
Goalies : Washington, Olaf Kolzig (22 shots, 19 saves; record:
7-13-1). New Jersey, Martin Brodeur (25 shots, 23 saves; record:
14-10-1). A: 16,265. Referees: Dean Morton, Mick Mcgeough. Linesmen:
Mark Wheler, Thor Nelson.</div>

 

By Joe Rizzo
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Make it nine straight wins andcounting for the New Jersey Devils.


Martin Brodeur stopped 22 shots and Travis Zajac stalled acomeback attempt with a goal 6 1/2 minutes into the third periodas the Devils on Friday posted their ninth straight victory, a3-2 triumph over the Washington Capitals.


Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski and former Capital Dainius Zubrusalso scored for the Devils, whose streak matches that of theDetroit Red Wings from October 18-November 9 for the longest inthe league this season.


New Jersey is riding its best run since closing out the 2005-06season with 11 straight victories and goes for No. 10 on Sundayagainst the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Brodeur was busiest during a penalty kill four minutes into thesecond period, surviving a barrage of close-range shots. Thereigning Vezina Trophy winner lost his shutout bid with 14:22left in the third period, when Alexander Semin scored from theright faceoff dot to halve Washington's deficit to 2-1.

But Zajac countered 51 seconds later to restore the two-goaladvantage and put the Devils back in control. Olaf Kolzigstopped defenseman Sheldon Brookbank's initial shot but allowedthe rebound to get behind him and into the crease, where Zajacwas able to deposit it into the net for his fifth tally of theseason.


Brooks Laich made things interesting, scoring with 77 seconds togo in the third, but a hooking penalty by blue-liner Mike Greenwith a minute remaining ended the Capitals' comeback hopes.

Kolzig finished with 19 saves for Washington, which lost for thefourth time in its last five games and fell to 3-7-1 in itslast 11.


Defenseman Bryan Pothier's bad clearing attempt up the middle ofthe ice was picked off just inside the blue line by Vishnevski,who skated down the slot and flipped a backhander that wentbetween Kolzig's torso and blocker at 11:42 of the first periodto open the scoring.


It was Vishnevski's first goal in 55 games since December 27,2006.


Just over four minutes later, Pothier's defense partner, formerfirst-round pick Jeff Schultz, tripped Jamie Langenbrunner togive New Jersey its first power play. With six seconds left inthe penalty, Kolzig no longer was able to withstand a barrage asZubrus chopped a deflected puck that got behind the netminderinto the open net for a 2-0 bulge.

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 0 0 2 --2
New Jersey 2 0 1 --3
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, New Jersey, Vitaly Vishnevski 1
(Unassisted), 11:42. 2, New Jersey, Dainius Zubrus 6 (power play)
(Brian Gionta, Patrik Elias), 15:57. Penalties: P Elias, Njd
(hooking), 5:03; J Schultz, Was (tripping), 14:02; B Laich, Was
(holding), 18:27.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: R Pelley, Njd (interference), 3:50; D
Zubrus, Njd (interference), 14:54; B Laich, Was (holding), 17:25; M
Green, Was (hooking), 19:26.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Washington, Alexander Semin 2 (Nicklas
Backstrom), 5:48. 4, New Jersey, Travis Zajac 5 (Sheldon Brookbank,
Jamie Langenbrunner), 6:29. 5, Washington, Brooks Laich 5 (Joe Motzko,
Alexander Ovechkin), 18:43. Penalties: P Elias, Njd (holding), 16:26;
M Green, Was (hooking), 19:00.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 5 9 10 --24
New Jersey 12 4 6 --22
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 0 of 4, New Jersey - 1 of 5.
Goalies : Washington, Olaf Kolzig (22 shots, 19 saves; record:
7-13-1). New Jersey, Martin Brodeur (24 shots, 22 saves; record:
14-10-1). A: 16,265. Referees: Dean Morton, Mick Mcgeough. Linesmen:
Mark Wheler, Thor Nelson.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 0 0 2 --2
NEW JERSEY 2 0 1 --3
-----------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, New Jersey, Vitaly Vishnevski 1
(Unassisted), 11:42. 2, New Jersey, Dainius Zubrus 6 (power play)
(Brian Gionta, Patrik Elias), 15:57. Penalties: P Elias, Njd
(hooking), 5:03; J Schultz, Was (tripping), 14:02; B Laich, Was
(holding), 18:27.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: R Pelley, Njd (interference), 3:50; D
Zubrus, Njd (interference), 14:54; B Laich, Was (holding), 17:25; M
Green, Was (hooking), 19:26.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Washington, Alexander Semin 2 (Nicklas
Backstrom), 5:48. 4, New Jersey, Travis Zajac 5 (Sheldon Brookbank,
Jamie Langenbrunner), 6:29. 5, Washington, Brooks Laich 5 (Joe Motzko,
Alexander Ovechkin), 18:43. Penalties: P Elias, Njd (holding), 16:26;
M Green, Was (hooking), 19:00.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 5 9 10 --24
NEW JERSEY 12 4 6 --22
----------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: WAS - 0 of 4, NJD - 1 of 5. Goalies :
Washington, Olaf Kolzig (22 shots, 19 saves; record: 7-13-1). New
Jersey, Martin Brodeur (24 shots, 22 saves; record: 14-10-1). A:
16,265. Referees: Dean Morton, Mick Mcgeough. Linesmen: Mark Wheler,
Thor Nelson.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

WASHINGTON NEW JERSEY
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
M Bradley 0 0 even 0 R Pelley 0 0 even 2
M Pettinger 0 0 +1 1 J Madden 0 0 -2 1
N Backstrom 0 1 even 3 B Gionta 0 1 even 3
B Pothier 0 0 -1 0 J Langenbrunner0 1 +1 1
B Laich 1 0 +1 2 D Zubrus 1 0 +2 1
M Jurcina 0 0 even 1 S Brylin 0 0 -1 0
V Kozlov 0 0 even 2 T Zajac 1 0 +2 1
S Morrisonn 0 0 even 0 V Vishnevski 1 0 +2 3
A Semin 1 0 +1 5 A Asham 0 0 even 2
T Poti 0 0 even 1 D Clarkson 0 0 -1 2
D Steckel 0 0 even 1 P Elias 0 1 -1 4
T Fleischmann 0 0 -1 2 M Mottau 0 0 even 0
J Motzko 0 1 even 0 K Rachunek 0 0 even 0
M Green 0 0 even 1 C White 0 0 -2 0
Q Laing 0 0 even 0 A Greene 0 0 -2 0
J Schultz 0 0 -1 0 P Martin 0 0 even 1
A Ovechkin 0 1 +1 5 S Brookbank 0 1 +2 1
D Brashear 0 0 even 0 Z Parise 0 0 even 0
M Nylander PERSONAL REASONS J Pandolfo ABDOMINAL
C Clark GROIN J Oduya HEALTHY
J Erskine HEALTHY M Rupp HEALTHY
S Eminger HEALTHY</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at NEW JERSEY

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
WASHINGTON 2
NEW JERSEY 3</div>

 

By Joe Rizzo
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Make it nine straight wins andcounting for the New Jersey Devils.


Martin Brodeur stopped 22 shots and Travis Zajac stalled acomeback attempt with a goal 6 1/2 minutes into the third periodas the Devils on Friday posted their ninth consecutive victory,a 3-2 triumph over the Washington Capitals.


Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski and former Capital Dainius Zubrusalso scored for the Devils, whose streak matches that of theDetroit Red Wings from October 18-November 9 for the longest inthe league this season.


New Jersey is riding its best run since closing out the 2005-06season with 11 straight victories and goes for No. 10 on Sundayagainst the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

"It's important," Brodeur said. "They're our big rivals. We're0-3 against them, and we play them eight times. If we want tohave a good record, we have to get it going against them."

"You can't let your foot off the pedal," Devils coach BrentSutter said. "As soon as you do, you allow a certain amount ofcomplacency to enter your game. You're not going to win everygame. What's more important is guys doing what they're supposedto do within the structure of the team."


New Jersey completed a sweep of its five-game homestand in itsnew building, the Prudential Center, on the night when formercaptain Scott Stevens was honored prior to the opening faceofffor his induction into the Hall of Fame on November 12.

"Anytime Scottie's around, it's exciting," said JamieLangenbrunner, who was wearing the captain's C for the secondgame. "Just having him around is great. He left us alone,though."


"We knew we had a good opportunity with five games at home,"said Patrik Elias, who was New Jersey's captain last season butlost the title when Sutter put it up for grabs. "I am gladwe've done a good job with the home-ice advantage. It's goodfor the fans and it's good for us."


Brodeur was busiest during a penalty kill four minutes into thesecond period, surviving a barrage of close-range shots. Thereigning Vezina Trophy winner lost his shutout bid with 14:22left in the third period, when Alexander Semin scored from theright faceoff dot to halve Washington's deficit to 2-1.

But Zajac countered 51 seconds later to restore the two-goaladvantage and put the Devils back in control. Olaf Kolzigstopped defenseman Sheldon Brookbank's initial shot but allowedthe rebound to get behind him and into the crease, where Zajacwas able to deposit it into the net for his fifth tally of theseason.


"That was huge," Langenbrunner said. "We did what we wanted to<div class="pre">do off the faceoff got it deep and had a good cycle. He's a</div>big goalie and likes to come out."


Brooks Laich made things interesting, scoring with 77 seconds togo in the third, but a hooking penalty by blue-liner Mike Greenwith a minute remaining ended the Capitals' comeback hopes.

Kolzig finished with 19 saves for Washington, which lost for thefourth time in its last five games and fell to 3-7-1 in itslast 11.


"It's no secret - you put traffic in front of a goaltender andit's so much harder," Kolzig said. "You're just focusing onblocking the net. It's tough to control the rebound. You justhope it hits you and you corral it."


The Capitals dropped to 3-3-1 since Bruce Boudreau took over asinterim coach.


"The second 10 minutes of the first (period) did us in,"Boudreau said. "We can sit there and look for positives all wewant, but the bottom line is, we didn't get the job done. Inthis league, you have to play for 60 minutes at the top of yourgame, and we played pretty good for 50 minutes."


Defenseman Brian Pothier's bad clearing attempt up the middle ofthe ice was picked off just inside the blue line by Vishnevski,who skated down the slot and flipped a backhander that wentbetween Kolzig's torso and blocker at 11:42 of the first periodto open the scoring.


It was Vishnevski's first goal in 55 games since December 27,2006.


Just over four minutes later, Pothier's defense partner, formerfirst-round pick Jeff Schultz, tripped Langenbrunner to give NewJersey its first power play. With six seconds left in thepenalty, Kolzig no longer was able to withstand a barrage asZubrus chopped a deflected puck that got behind the netminderinto the open net for a 2-0 bulge.


"On my goal, Brian (Gionta) was in front of the net," Zubrussaid. "The other goal, Travis got it with guys in front. Ifyou put traffic in front, it makes it hard on anyone. It's notan easy spot to be in, but guys don't shy away."

 

By Joe Rizzo
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Make it nine straight wins andcounting for the New Jersey Devils.


Martin Brodeur stopped 22 shots and Travis Zajac stalled acomeback attempt with a goal 6 1/2 minutes into the third periodas the Devils on Friday posted their ninth consecutive victory,a 3-2 triumph over the Washington Capitals.


Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski and former Capital Dainius Zubrusalso scored for the Devils, whose streak matches that of theDetroit Red Wings from October 18-November 9 for the longest inthe league this season.


New Jersey is riding its best run since closing out the 2005-06season with 11 straight victories and goes for No. 10 on Sundayagainst the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

"It's important," Brodeur said. "They're our big rivals. We're0-3 against them, and we play them eight times. If we want tohave a good record, we have to get it going against them."

"You can't let your foot off the pedal," Devils coach BrentSutter said. "As soon as you do, you allow a certain amount ofcomplacency to enter your game. You're not going to win everygame. What's more important is guys doing what they're supposedto do within the structure of the team."


New Jersey completed a sweep of its five-game homestand in itsnew building, the Prudential Center, on the night when formercaptain Scott Stevens was honored prior to the opening faceofffor his induction into the Hall of Fame on November 12.

"Anytime Scottie's around, it's exciting," said JamieLangenbrunner, who was wearing the captain's C for the secondgame. "Just having him around is great. He left us alone,though."


"We knew we had a good opportunity with five games at home,"said Patrik Elias, who was New Jersey's captain last season butlost the title when Sutter put it up for grabs. "I am gladwe've done a good job with the home-ice advantage. It's goodfor the fans and it's good for us."


Brodeur was busiest during a penalty kill four minutes into thesecond period, surviving a barrage of close-range shots. Thereigning Vezina Trophy winner lost his shutout bid with 14:22left in the third period, when Alexander Semin scored from theright faceoff dot to halve Washington's deficit to 2-1.

But Zajac countered 51 seconds later to restore the two-goaladvantage and put the Devils back in control. Olaf Kolzigstopped defenseman Sheldon Brookbank's initial shot but allowedthe rebound to get behind him and into the crease, where Zajacwas able to deposit it into the net for his fifth tally of theseason.


"That was huge," Langenbrunner said. "We did what we wanted to<div class="pre">do off the faceoff got it deep and had a good cycle. He's a</div>big goalie and likes to come out."


Brooks Laich made things interesting, scoring with 77 seconds togo in the third, but a hooking penalty by blue-liner Mike Greenwith a minute remaining ended the Capitals' comeback hopes.

Kolzig finished with 19 saves for Washington, which lost for thefourth time in its last five games and fell to 3-7-1 in itslast 11.


"It's no secret - you put traffic in front of a goaltender andit's so much harder," Kolzig said. "You're just focusing onblocking the net. It's tough to control the rebound. You justhope it hits you and you corral it."


The Capitals dropped to 3-3-1 since Bruce Boudreau took over asinterim coach.


"The second 10 minutes of the first (period) did us in,"Boudreau said. "We can sit there and look for positives all wewant, but the bottom line is, we didn't get the job done. Inthis league, you have to play for 60 minutes at the top of yourgame, and we played pretty good for 50 minutes."


Defenseman Brian Pothier's bad clearing attempt up the middle ofthe ice was picked off just inside the blue line by Vishnevski,who skated down the slot and flipped a backhander that wentbetween Kolzig's torso and blocker at 11:42 of the first periodto open the scoring.


It was Vishnevski's first goal in 55 games since December 27,2006.


Just over four minutes later, Pothier's defense partner, formerfirst-round pick Jeff Schultz, tripped Langenbrunner to give NewJersey its first power play. With six seconds left in thepenalty, Kolzig no longer was able to withstand a barrage asZubrus chopped a deflected puck that got behind the netminderinto the open net for a 2-0 bulge.


"On my goal, Brian (Gionta) was in front of the net," Zubrussaid. "The other goal, Travis got it with guys in front. Ifyou put traffic in front, it makes it hard on anyone. It's notan easy spot to be in, but guys don't shy away."


<div class="pre">"Look at the last two goals pucks shot at the net, and (there</div>were) rebounds," Sutter said. "The puck's there. You're notgoing to always score pretty goals."