Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves for his 20th career shutout as the New York Rangers beat New Jersey 3-0 on home ice on Monday, a fifth consecutive loss for the slumping Devils.
The shutout was Lundqvist’s third of the season for the Rangers, who struck for three second-period goals against top New Jersey netminder Martin Brodeur.
With the win, New York (40-28-9) moved within a point of sixth-place Pittsburgh (41-27-8) in the tight Eastern Conference race. New Jersey (47-25-4), who have already secured a playoff spot, maintained third place in the East despite their skid.
PHOTO: AP
It was Lundqvist’s third career shutout against the Devils.
The Rangers’ Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan all found net against Brodeur, who faced 37 shots.
Brodeur has won only once in five games since claiming his NHL goaltending record 552nd victory.
Dubinsky led off the scoring 4:35 into the second and two minutes later the Rangers held a 2-0 lead, Girardi getting the goal after assisting on Dubinsky’s tally.
Callahan wrapped things up 15:06 into the period.
Avery, a bitter rival of Brodeur, was twice knocked to the ice by the David Clarkson but refused to fight back.
COYOTES 6, STARS 5, OT
At Glendale, Arizona, Petr Prucha scored 53 seconds into overtime to lift Phoenix past Dallas.
Prucha took a pass from Shane Doan at the top right corner of the crease and shoved the puck past Dallas goalie Tobias Stephan for a power-play goal just 16 seconds after Andrew Hutchinson was whistled for tripping.
SHARKS 2, FLAMES 1
At Calgary, Canada, Jonathan Cheechoo scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Evgeni Nabokov made 28 saves to lead San Jose over the Flames.
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