Brian Gionta's third-period goal in Edmonton broke a 1-1 tie and sent the Devils to their first of two wins in Alberta.


newjerseydevils.com – The Devils went into the holiday with plenty to be cheery about.

The club rebounded from a loss in Vancouver to win back-to-back games in Edmonton and Calgary and post a winning mark on its trip through western Canada.

Martin Brodeur registered a .980 save percentage with just one goal allowed during the Alberta leg of the Devils' road swing. The Devils' netminder recorded the 95th shutout of his career to move past George Hainsworth for second place on the league's all-time list.

Brodeur, who was 5-10-1 on Nov. 17, improved to 18-12-2 and currently shares the wins lead with San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov.

Patrik Elias notched a pair of timely goals on the trip, tying the Edmonton game in the third period ( 700K ), and potting the overtime clincher over the Flames on Sunday ( 700K ). Elias has eight goals this season, five of which have been game winners.

With a 13-3-1 record in their last 17, the Devils entered Wednesday's action with a five-point lead over the Rangers for second place in the division, and a one-point edge over the Carolina Hurricanes for second place in the East.

The Devils will be back in action this Friday when the Buffalo Sabres visit Prudential Center at 7 p.m. Until then, NJD TV offers the best of the western trip.

@ Vancouver, 12/18
This Devils loss wasn't without a handful of highlights. Brodeur stopped Mason Raymond 700K, and Vitaly Vishnevski got the best of Ryan Kesler 700K.

@ Edmonton, 12/21
Brodeur posted 20 saves, including these gems against Fernando Pisani 700K, Shawn Horcoff 700K. He reserved his best stop of the night for Tom Gilbert 700K .
 
@ Calgary, 12/23
Brodeur was on top of his game in posting 30 saves against the streaking Flames, stoning Jarome Iginla 700K / 700K, and Daymond Langkow 700K. Marty preserved the shutout by denying Alex Tanguay with 20 seconds left in regulation 700K.