Patrik Elias and Niclas Bergfors scored a pair of goals and netminder Martin Brodeur recorded his 577th career victory as the New Jersey Devils beat the slumping Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 on Saturday.
Elias followed two powerplay tallies by Swedish rookie Bergfors with the 300th goal of his career in the first period and added another score in the second.
The scores enabled the Czech left wing to become the second New Jersey player to reach 300 goals.
“It’s obviously a nice little mark and a nice little achievement,” Elias told reporters. “To do it for this organization is even more special.”
The milestone came in the 839th game for Elias, who is now in his 13th season of an NHL career played exclusively with the Devils.
Bergfors, 22, reached 11 goals for the season in his 41st NHL game.
“Right now he’s just Johnny on the spot,” Brodeur said of Bergfors. “He’s making plays and he’s got that sneaky shot.”
Bergfors reached out with his stick and chipped the puck past Flyers netminder Brian Boucher for his first goal.
Brodeur stopped 22 shots for his 20th victory of the season but lost a bid to become the NHL’s all-time shutout leader.
SENATORS 4, HURRICANES 2
Alex Kovalev’s hat trick, including the 400th goal of his NHL career, helped the Ottawa Senators beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Saturday.
With the score tied 2-2 late in the third, Kovalev took a shot on an Ottawa power play that deflected off the skate of Hurricanes defenseman Jay Harrison and past Manny Legace for goal No. 400.
CANUCKS 4, WILD 3
At Vancouver, British Columbia, Henrik Sedin set up first-period goals for twin brother Daniel Sedin, Mason Raymond and Alex Burrows as Vancouver edged Minnesota.
In other NHL action, it was:
• Red Wings 3, Predators 2, OT
• Kings 3, Stars 2, SO
• Penguins 3, Panthers 2, OT
• Maple Leafs 6, Capitals 3
• Thrashers 4, Canadiens 3, OT
• Islanders 3, Bruins 2, OT
• Ducks 3, Blue Jackets 1
• Coyotes 2, Sharks 1
• Sabres 3, Rangers 2
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