Rookie gives Devils an OT boost
Whether Paul Martin ever scored in overtime before isn't known. There is no disputing that this game-winner was the most important.
"Maybe I scored one in youth hockey back in Minnesota, but I really don't remember," said New Jersey's rookie defenseman.
"I certainly never had one as big as this one."
Martin netted his latest 3:53 into overtime, giving the Devils a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings yesterday.
Martin, who played last year for the University of Minnesota, tallied his third goal of the season. It helped the Devils win a game in which they trailed, 2-0, in the first period.
"I think we all took it as a challenge to come back, after we let up those two fluke goals," Martin said.
New Jersey, which has won two straight, pulled within two points of Ottawa and the Bruins for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Devils snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over Carolina on Saturday. Recently recalled center Pavel Rosa, playing in his first NHL game this season for the Kings, scored when his backhander sneaked past New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur at 7:34.
Brodeur tried to stop the rolling puck with his stick and blocker, but the shot trickled in for Rosa's fifth career goal.
Two minutes later, defenseman Tomas Zizka, playing in only his eighth game of the season, scored during a power play for his first NHL goal. Zizka fired a shot toward the net and the drive deflected off Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer and in at 10:00. Rosa was credited with an assist.
The Devils cut the lead to 2-1 before the end of the first period, when Sergei Brylin converted on a power-play chance for his 11th goal.
Jamie Langenbrunner tied it midway through the second period with his eighth goal, right after a roughing penalty to Kings forward Sean Avery expired.
Flames 2, Wild 1 -- Robyn Regehr broke a tie 6:25 into the third period, and Miikka Kiprusoff allowed only a fluke goal in Calgary's victory over host Minnesota. Jarome Iginla scored his 29th goal for the Flames.
Kiprusoff made 15 saves to earn his third straight victory since returning last week after being out more than a month because of a strained knee. Sergei Zholtok scored for Minnesota 5:10 into the second period.
Oilers 2, Predators 2 -- Andreas Johansson had a goal and an assist, both on power plays, in Nashville's tie with visiting Edmonton.
Ethan Moreau's goal midway through the third period tied it for the Oilers.
Capitals 4, Blackhawks 0 -- Olaf Kolzig stopped 38 shots for his second shutout this season and 33d of his career, leading Washington past host Chicago. Peter Bondra and Stephen Peat scored 65 seconds apart early in the second period to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead.
