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Hedberg, Devils blank Sens

Mar 21, 2012 - 4:22 AM Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Johan Hedberg posted 34 saves for his fourth shutout of the season to lift the New Jersey Devils to a 1-0 win over the Ottawa Senators.

It was a battle between two teams competing for playoff positioning. New Jersey sits in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference and built its lead to five points over Ottawa.

Ilya Kovalchuk scored the 400th goal of his career to account for the only score for the Devils, who had dropped three of four coming in and moved within three points of the Flyers for the fifth spot in the conference.

"We just want to finish the season strong and play our best hockey," said Kovalchuk.

Ben Bishop posted 33 stops for the Senators, who have dropped four of their last five.

Hedberg made 15 saves in the first period, which included a penalty shot from Erik Condra after he was tripped on a breakaway by Anton Volchenkov 14 minutes in.

The only goal of the game came on the power play with 2:40 to play in the second after Marek Zidlicky sent a pass from the right point to the left where Kovalchuk one-timed it home.

"It was a knuckle-puck," said Bishop. "Just a bad bounce. Their goalie played well."

Hedberg was again busy in the third period when he turned away 12 shots to post the 21st shutout of his career.

Game Notes

New Jersey has won two of the three games with Ottawa this season. The teams will meet in New Jersey on April 7 in for the final regular season game for both clubs...Ottawa plays in Montreal on Friday...New Jersey hosts Toronto on Friday.