Devils 4, Hurricanes 1
RALEIGH, N.C. - Adam Henrique and Peter Harrold scored 46 seconds apart in the second period and Martin Brodeur celebrated his return to the lineup with his NHL-record third career goal by a goaltender as the New Jersey Devils beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 Thursday night.
The 40-year-old Brodeur, who missed 13 games with a neck injury, didn't have to work too hard to record his 38th all-time victory against the Hurricanes ¬- the most ever by a Carolina opponent - facing just 18 shots.
The slumping Hurricanes, with just five goals in four previous games, managed three shots in the second period as Henrique scored his 10th and Harrold his second to push a close game to a three-goal margin in less than a minute with 6:22 left in the period.
The Devils were 3-8-2 without the future Hall of Famer Brodeur in net, but managed to remain in the playoff race despite being tied for 14th in the Eastern Conference in goals. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes continue to struggle on offense, losing their fifth straight (0-4-1) to fall out of the Southeast Division lead. Carolina also dropped to 7-8 on home ice.
Brodeur became the first goalie in NHL history to score three goals when he was credited with New Jersey's first score early in the first period, an own goal on a delayed penalty against Marek Zidlicky. With the New Jersey defenseman called for hooking, Dan Ellis raced out of his net for an extra attacker, but Jordan Staal's pass to the left point eluded Tim Gleason, careened off the boards and down the length of the ice into the empty Carolina net.
Jeff Skinner spoiled Brodeur's shutout bid with a power-play goal with 8:33 left, his 10th of the season.
NOTES: Hurricanes defenseman Brett Bellemore, a sixth round pick by Carolina in 2007, made his NHL debut. ... The last goalie to score prior to the Brodeur goal was Carolina's Cam Ward on Dec. 26, 2011, against the Devils. ... Brodeur's second goal in 2000 was also an own-goal and only game winner in NHL history by a netminder. ... Zach Boychuk, who was waived by the Hurricanes in early February and claimed by Pittsburgh and then Nashville, was reclaimed Thursday by Carolina and was a healthy scratch. Adam Hall now has jersey No. 18, so Boychuk will wear No. 32. ... Tuomo Ruutu, who returned to action for Carolina after missing the first 29 games following offseason hip surgery, logged minutes on the fourth line.
