Good defense beat good offense in a battle of division leaders. And, by the way, the team with the good defense wants some credit for scoring a little bit, too.
John Madden got three goals -- two on fast breaks and one on an empty-netter -- plus an assist as the New Jersey Devils beat the Washington Capitals 4-1 Wednesday night. New Jersey has allowed a league-low 98 goals, but coach Pat Burns said it was unfair to make his team sound so one-dimensional.
"We scored four last night, scored four tonight, scored five the other night. What do we have to do, more?'' Burns said. "Defense is part of it. If we can keep the goals against down, we're going to win more games.''
The Atlantic Division-leading Devils set a franchise record with at least one point in their 14th consecutive game, although the streak includes one overtime loss that would not have counted as a point before the 1999-2000 season. They have also 12 wins and one tie during the streak.
The only setback was an injury to center Sergei Brylin, who might have broken his wrist when he was sandwiched by three other players along the boards in the first period.
"It looks like a fracture; we're not sure,'' Burns said. "We have to get a hard cast on it, and we're going to re-evaluate tomorrow. If it is serious, it's going to be a big loss for us. He's an all-around player we can put in any position.''
Brylin was replaced on his line by Patrik Elias, who got assists on all three of Madden's goals. Turner Stevenson also scored for New Jersey, and Martin Brodeur made 27 saves.
Michael Nylander scored for the Southeast Division-leading Capitals, who failed to get a point for only the fourth time in 24 games.
"The New Jerseys and the Ottawas, those are the measuring sticks,'' coach Bruce Cassidy said. "And this team's still got a ways to go. But I don't think we're that far off.''
The game featured the Eastern Conference's second-most prolific offense against its best defense, but the Capitals were slowed by early penalties and got their usually potent power play on the ice only twice. The Devils otherwise disrupted an attack that had scored 17 goals in its last four games.
The Devils took the lead for good late in the second period after Jaromir Jagr's careless cross-ice pass in the neutral zone during a four-on-four situation. The turnover led to a three-on-one Devils rush, with Madden getting the goal off the rebound from Brian Rafalski's shot to put New Jersey ahead 2-1. Jagr said the puck slipped off his stick.
"I made a mistake, and they scored on it,'' Jagr said. "They're too good a team to come back on.''
Madden made it 3-1 in the third period on a three-on-two break, getting clear by racing ahead of Nylander down the center of the ice.
"It's all about confidence,'' Madden said. "You score one, you feel like you can get some more. It comes and goes.''
Nylander scored on a rebound early in the second period. Stevenson tied the game about five minutes later with a one-timer from the right circle.
| SCORING |
PENALTIES |
First Period: None.
Second Period: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 13 (Jaromir Jagr, Kip Miller), 4:49. 2, New Jersey, Turner Stevenson 5 (Jiri Bicek, John Madden), 9:59. 3, New Jersey, John Madden 11 (Brian Rafalski, Patrik Elias), 16:47.
Third Period: 4, New Jersey, John Madden 12 (Jay Pandolfo, Patrik Elias), 6:12. 5, New Jersey, John Madden 13 (empty net) (Patrik Elias), 19:07. |
First Period: M Nylander, Was (obstr hooking), 0:23; M Nylander, Was (hooking), 3:09; S Gomez, Njd (obstr hooking), 11:59; Bench, Was (delay of game served by J Green), 13:17.
Second Period: K Miller, Was (slashing), 12:48; S Konowalchuk, Was (roughing), 16:09; S Niedermayer, Njd (roughing), 16:09.
Third Period: K Klee, Was (hooking), 3:50; J Langenbrunner, Njd (obstr hooking), 7:03; K Klee, Was (tripping), 11:04.
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Attendance: 14,336.
Referees: Greg Kimmerly, Terry Gregson.
Linesmen: Anthony Sericolo, Brad Kovachik.
