National Hockey League Game Capsules

11:21 PM, Feb 7, 2012   |    comments
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • - A A A +

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Martin Brodeur extended his NHL record with the 117th shutout of his career, as the New Jersey Devils made a first period goal stand up in a 1-0 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. David Clarkson tallied the only goal for the Devils, who have now won five straight. The Rangers appeared to tie the game with 3.5 seconds left, but Marian Gaborik crashed into Brodeur and was called for goalie interference, negating Artem Anisimov's potential equalizer. Henrik Lundqvist was again marvelous in net, stopping 21-of-22 shots, but saw a personal four-game winning streak come to an end. New York, meanwhile, lost for only the second time in its last six games overall. Brodeur, though, was the story, as the four-time Vezina Trophy winner stopped 30 shots, including 15 in the final period, to secure his first shutout since blanking the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 25 of last season.

Final Score: NY Islanders 1, Philadelphia 0 (SO)

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Frans Nielsen scored the winner in the shootout as the New York Islanders took a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. After stopping all 18 shots in regulation and overtime, Ilya Bryzgalov was beat by Nielsen on a fake to the backhand that was lifted high. Danny Briere, playing in his first game after missing six contests with a concussion, deked to the forehand and tried to stuff it in, but Evgeni Nabokov stuck his left pad out to the post and kept the puck out. Jonathan Tavares then blew a wrister into the left side and Nabokov sealed the win when he made a right pad save on Wayne Simmonds' backhand offering. Nabokov stopped 45 shots through the 65 minutes of play for his second shutout of the season and 52nd of his career for the Islanders, who have won three of four. Bryzgalov posted his second shutout of the season and 25th of his career, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Flyers from losing three straight for the first time this season.

Final Score: Washington 4, Florida 0

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Alex Ovechkin got his first post-suspension points, scoring two goals Tuesday night to lead the Washington Capitals over the Florida Panthers, 4-0. Washington moved one point ahead of Florida for first place in the Southeast Division. Tomas Vokoun made 42 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 48th of his career. Mathieu Perreault and Jason Chimera also scored for the Capitals, who moved to 3-3-2 in their last eight games. The Panthers beat the Capitals at home last Wednesday, 4-2, to take the division lead but couldn't solve Vokoun in this one. Scott Clemmensen gave up four goals on 24 shots and Florida lost for the ninth time in its last 13 games (4-5-4).

Final Score: Columbus 3, Minnesota 1

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Antoine Vermette scored the eventual game- winning goal in the second period as the Columbus Blue Jackets topped the Minnesota Wild, 3-1, at Nationwide Arena. David Savard had a goal and an assist and Jeff Carter also scored for the Blue Jackets, who got 28 saves from Curtis Sanford en route to their second straight win. Nate Prosser scored and Niklas Backstrom gave up all three goals on 37 shots for the Wild, who have lost three of their last four games.

The Sports Network