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Parise nets Devils overtime win, playoff berth

Apr 2, 2008 - 3:37 AM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- Zach Parise scored the game-winning goal just 29 seconds into overtime as the New Jersey Devils clinched their 11th consecutive postseason berth with a 2-1 triumph over the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

Patrik Elias had a goal and set up the overtime winner and defenseman Johnny Oduya had two assists for New Jersey (44-28-7), which has not missed the playoffs since the 1995-96 season.

"I really didn't know (about the playoff situation)," Parise said. "I thought that when we got a point, we might be in. It feels good to be in."

"I think we were pretty confident that we were going to do it (make the playoffs)," captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. "As the schedule went on, the pressure started to mount a little bit. We did not panic. We worked through some trouble and are doing a better job right now."

New Jersey coach Brent Sutter was pleased with the victory, but admitted more work needs to be done.

"It's nice to have that 'X' by your team in the standings," Sutter said. "Now, we've got to fight for home ice."

"Now, we're trying to climb as high as we can with the three games we have left," said Martin Brodeur, who finished with 21 saves. "A few weeks ago, we were leading the conference, and now, we're scrambling to get in. At least we can go for fourth place."

Josef Vasicek tallied the lone goal for New York, which has dropped 10 of its last 12 games (2-9-1).

In overtime, Oduya wristed a shot from the blue line which Parise deflected over the right pad of Joey MacDonald for his 32nd goal of the season.

"I just tried to get a piece of it and see where it goes," Parise said. "I didn't know where it went at him (MacDonald). You are just hoping it goes in. MacDonald was awesome. I thought he played a really good game and made a lot of great saves."

"There were two or three bodies in front and one of our defensemen," MacDonald said. "He (Elias) has a pretty good shot. I would like to have that one back, but he pretty much puts it wherever he wants.

Vasicek opened the scoring with 52 seconds remaining in the first period.

Just outside the blue line, Islanders captain Bill Guerin brilliantly extended his body to tap a loose puck to Vasicek. The 27-year-old then skated in and backhanded the puck past Brodeur for his 16th goal of the season.

Elias evened the contest just 5:42 into the second period.

With New Jersey on the power play, Elias accepted a feed from Oduya and blasted a shot from just inside the left circle past a screened MacDonald for his 20th tally of the campaign.

MacDonald, who was making just his second start of the season and 17th career appearance, finished with 45 saves.

"They are very good at scoring ugly goals," MacDonald said. "They throw the puck in, jam the net and try to get sticks on the puck. Overall, I saw the puck pretty well tonight. I tried to keep the rebounds to myself, and the ones that I didn't the defense was there to get them out. I was pretty happy about the way I played tonight.