PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby gave Martin Brodeur some
unexpected rest.
Crosby recorded two goals and an assist as the Pittsburgh
Penguins chased Brodeur en route to a 6-3 victory over the New
Jersey Devils.
The reigning two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Brodeur was making
his 26th consecutive start and had played every minute in net
for the Devils in 2006. However, that streak came to a
surprising end Saturday against the NHL's worst team.
"It was just one night where the puck didn't hit me," Brodeur
said. "Everything just went in the net."
Crosby scored just 42 seconds into the contest, taking a pass
from defenseman Sergei Gonchar and sliding the puck underneath
Brodeur. The rookie sensation picked up an assist just over
three minutes later, redirecting Gonchar's backhander from the
right end boards.
Brodeur made the save, but the rebound went right to Ryan Malone
for a shorthanded tally and a 2-0 lead.
"Against a team like New Jersey that is so good system-wise and
with the great goaltending they have, it's a lot bigger to get a
lead against a team like that," Crosby said. "It makes life a
lot easier, and I think we play with a lot more confidence when
we play like that."
After John Madden halved the deficit with 9:22 remaining, rookie
Michel Ouellet tallied 15 seconds later. Andy Hilbert pushed
the lead to 4-1 with 2:14 left in the opening session.
"It goes to show you what can be accomplished when you work
hard," Hilbert said. "There's a lot of young talent on this
team, and I think it goes to show you what you can accomplish
when you work hard."
Crosby continued the onslaught in the second with a wrister that
beat Brodeur inside the right goalpost 3:17 into the second.
"(Crosby's) not just a goal scorer," Brodeur said. "He's a
different player. He's tough to key on. He skates and
back-checks. He does a lot of things superstars do."
Rookie Colby Armstrong ended Brodeur's night at 5:29 with the
Penguins' sixth goal on 16 shots.
"He is such a quality goalie," Penguins coach Michel Therrien
said of Brodeur. "That doesn't happen very often."
Backup Scott Clemmensen stopped all 10 shots he faced in his
first appearance since December 29.
"We certainly felt like we could get back in it," New Jersey
interim coach Lou Lamoriello said. "We had chances and came up
with the saves at the right time. But the opportunities we had,
you have to take advantage of. The opportunities we gave them
early in the game, they took advantage of."
Erik Rasmussen and Jamie Langenbrunner tallied for New Jersey,
which has alternated wins and losses over its last eight games.
"Give them credit," Devils center Scott Gomez said. "We thought
the tides were going to change, but Pittsburgh kept answering
our call. It's a big win for those guys. It was just one of
those nights. They had our number here."
Rookie Marc-Andre Fleury made 38 saves for Pittsburgh, including
21 in the second period.
"He had some big, timely saves," Crosby said. "He's been doing
it all season, and sometimes he's not rewarded for it. It's
nice to see him rewarded tonight. He has a great attitude and
he keeps battling."