For the Record, It’s Brodeur’s Day

Martin Brodeur became the first NHL goaltender to post four 40-win seasons as the New Jersey Devils beat the New York Islanders, 6-0, Sunday at East Rutherford, N.J.

“Consistency is something that when I started my career I wanted to do,� said Brodeur, who earlier this year became the first goaltender to record eight consecutive 30-win seasons.

“I wanted to be able to play a lot and be consistent every year. Winning so many games every year shows I was able to do that. I want to keep going and raise that bar for other goalies coming up.�

Brodeur only had to make 19 saves in recording a league-high ninth shutout this season and the 64th of his career. It improved his record to 40-22-8, surpassing Jacques Plante and Terry Sawchuk in career 40-win seasons.

Patrik Elias scored four goals and Scott Gomez had five assists -- tying a club record -- as New Jersey extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2).

The win moved the Devils four points ahead of the idle Philadelphia Flyers in the Atlantic Division and within four points of Ottawa in the race for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Edmonton 4, Chicago 4 -- Radek Dvorak had two goals and Todd Marchant scored once during a 1:28 span late in the third period for the Oilers at Chicago.

The Oilers have gone eight games without a loss (6-0-1-1). The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have won only seven of their last 34 games (7-20-4-3).

Chicago led, 4-1, before Dvorak deflected a shot for a power-play goal with 2:29 left, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Marchant beat rookie goaltender Craig Andersson 28 seconds later. Dvorak tied the score on a shot from the slot with 1:01 left.

The Oilers had a chance to win in overtime when Mike Comrie broke in alone on Andersson with five seconds left. Andersson, however, made a pad save on Comrie’s shot. Dvorak then fired the rebound off the side of the net.