12. march 2009 / TWO POINTS GETS PATRIK ELIAS 1ST STAR VS. COYOTES

Patrik Elias had a goal and an assist in the New Jersey Devil’s convincing 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday, March 12th at the Prudential Center. Named the games #1 star, Patrik’s 698th and 699th career points puts him just two away from John Maclean’s all-time Devils record. The Czech winger’s 27th of the season came 10:03 into the second period on a 2-on-1 break with Gionta. Gionta flew down the left wing and fed a pass over to Patrik who was streaking into the slot. Patrik corralled the puck and chipped it through the pads of rookie goaltender Josh Tordjman to make it 4-1. It was Patrik’s third goal in his last four games. He also collected a power-play assist by setting up a Brian Rolston blast that Travis Zajac tapped in on the rebound. For Thursday’s game coach Brent Sutter decided to switch things up by moving Brian Rolston to the center position between Patrik and Gionta. The move paid off as each of the team’s four lines contributed on the score sheet. The Devils (44-20-3) set a team record with their ninth straight win on home ice. During a post game interview on MSG+, Patrik made a special note to say hello to his grandfather who is visiting from the Czech Republic. (Dan Altano, New Jersey)