7. march 2009 / PATRIK ELIAS NOW FOUR POINTS AWAY FROM HISTORY

Patrik Elias is on the cusp of becoming the all-time point leader in Devils history. His goal against the Islanders on Saturday afternoon brought his career point total to 701, four shy of John Maclean’s franchise record. Patrik’s tally came 6:48 into the third period on the power play after Islander left-winger Jeff Tambellini took a Boarding penalty. Patrik redirected Paul Martin’s point shot on his backhand, through his own legs and to the back of the net. It was Patrik’s third power-play goal in five games and his sixth point in as many meetings with the Islanders this season (2g-4a). His 69 points (26g-43a) ties his 2006-2007 season total with 17 games still left to play. The Islanders, who sit at the bottom of the NHL standings, went on to win the contest 7-3 in front of a crowd of 15,524 at Nassau Coliseum. The Devils meet the Calgary Flames on home ice Tuesday night at 7 p.m. (Dan Altano).