18. march 2010 / PATRIK ELIAS PUTS ON ANOTHER EXCITING ST. PATRICK’S DAY SHOW

In a recent interview with EliasPatrik.com/en, Patrik Elias said he hoped he could repeat his performance in last year’s St. Patrick’s Day game where his assist against Chicago made him the all-time leading point getter in franchise history. On Wednesday night, exactly one year later, he didn’t just repeat the performance, he matched it and then surpassed it with a picture perfect assist, a game winning goal and a first star for his efforts as the Devils jumped into second place in the Eastern Conference with a thrashing of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In front of a sold out Prudential Center crowd, Patrik made his first mark on the game midway through the first with the Devils trailing 1-0. He stripped the puck away from Kris Letang just outside the Penguins zone and threw a highlight reel worthy pass behind his back to a wide open Dainius Zubrus who took it in all alone and beat Marc-Andre Fleury with a slick deke to tie the game.

Patrik got his 13th goal of the season (which turned out to be the game winner) at 3:09 of the second period. With the Devils shorthanded, Patrik picked off an errant point pass, exploded through the neutral zone and flicked in a blocker side wrist-shot to give the Devils the 3-1 lead. The Devils went on to take the contest 5-2 and completed a six game sweep of the defending champions.

Patrik has registered two goals and two assists in his last four games and boasts a +16 rating. The goal was his fourth game winner this season. He has 56 points in 64 career games against Pittsburgh. (Dan Altano)

Photos: NJ Devils archive