APBrodeur might be one of the few visiting players unhappy to see the cramped, 48-year-old arena shut down after this season, given his 16-4 record there in his last 20 games.
“It’s great that we got it the way we did, in maybe our last game here,” Brodeur said. “It was a big game for us, so to get the shutout on top of it is great.”
Patrik Elias scored his fourth goal in five games and Zach Parise had three assists as the Devils won their fourth in a row to improve to an NHL-best 26-8-1. They won their fifth in a row, ninth in 10 games and 12th in 14, and are 27-9-1 in Pittsburgh since March 4, 1997.
Brodeur’s toughest save probably came with the teams skating 4 on 4 and the Devils up 2-0 early in the second. Evgeni Malkin got loose on a short breakaway, but Brodeur easily turned aside his shot.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had a good chance to end the shutout with about 90 seconds remaining, but his shot struck the right post. Brodeur made a glove-hand save on Jordan Staal’s in-close shot with 42 seconds remaining.
“It’s pretty incredible. The records are piling up,” Crosby said of Brodeur. “He’s a legendary goalie and he proves it every year.”
New Jersey, a league-best 13-2-1 on the road this season, took its 1-0 lead on an unlikely goal by Bryce Salvador, whose wrist shot from the left point eluded Fleury 4:39 into the game. The Devils made it 2-0 with a similar goal by Niclas Bergfors on a power play 23 seconds into the second.
Notes: Staal left a pool of blood on the ice after being struck in the face by a puck about seven minutes into the second period, but returned early in the third wearing a full face shield. ... Elias has four goals in five games. ... New Jersey won its earlier two games in Pittsburgh by 4-1 scores. ... Parise has two goals and five assists in three games against Pittsburgh. ... New Jersey took the Atlantic Division lead with 53 points to Pittsburgh’s 51.
Video: 40-year-old Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will be making his fifth Stanley Cup finals appearance.
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