26. february 2009 / PATRIK ELIAS SHINES IN WIN OVER AVALANCHE

Patrik Elias’s 24th goal of the season helped propel the Devils over the Colorado Avalance 4-0 on Thursday night in front of a jam packed Prudential Center. On a night that marked the return of Devil’s goaltender, Martin Brodeur after missing 50 games with an elbow injury, Elias and the Devils took a 6-point lead in the Atlantic Conference over the second place Flyers.

After numerous first period scoring chances, Elias scored a much needed Power Play goal 8:46 into the second period. When Paul Martin’s wide point shot caromed off the boards and sailed in front of the net, Elias rushed to the puck and slammed a quick backhand shot under the left glove of sprawling goaltender, Andrew Raycroft to make it 2-0. The steady winger’s goal increased his point total to 65 points, one shy of 8th place among league leaders. He finished with 5 shots on net.

Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac scored the other New Jersey goals as Martin Brodeur collected his 99th career shutout.

Next up, the Devils stay at home on Saturday, February 28 to face the Florida Panthers at 1 p.m. The team looks to avenge the 4-0 loss they were handed by the Panthers on February 17th at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Dan Altano)