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Parise, Brodeur lead Devils over Capitals in shootout

Oct 19, 2008 - 4:28 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Zach Parise stole the spotlight while Patrick Elias became the New Jersey Devils' all-time assists leader.

Parise scored a power-play goal and netted the decisive tally in the shootout as the Devils posted a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday.

Elias notched two assists - including the 365th of his career - and passed Scott Niedermayer for the franchise's all-time lead with a pass that led to a goal by rookie Petr Vrana in the first period.

"Scotty is a great player," Elias said. "I'm happy I passed him, obviously. It's a great milestone, but hopefully I can add a few more."

Defenseman Andy Greene added a goal, captain Jamie Langenbrunner also registered two assists and Martin Brodeur made 24 saves for New Jersey, which has won four of its first five games this season.

Recording his 542nd career victory, Brodeur moved within nine of tying Hall of Famer Patrick Roy's all-time record by denying Michael Nylander, Alexander Semin and Alex Ovechkin in the shootout.

"I didn't think we were really in control of the game at all," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I thought we had the lead, but I thought (Capitals goaltender Brent Johnson) had the tougher saves to make than Marty. I thought (Johnson) played better, and he was holding us in the game. Both the third-period goals were deflected goals, but I thought it was one of those games where we definitely got outworked."

Johnson made 34 saves, but Brodeur improved to 27-13 lifetime in the bonus format and 13-2-1 in his last 16 starts against the Capitals.

The four-time Vezina Trophy winner had trouble containing Alexander Semin, who became the only player to have notched at least one point in each of Washington's first five games.

Semin scored two goals, including one that pulled the Capitals even at 3-3 with 5:11 left in the third. Semin's blistering shot bounced off the chest of defenseman Mike Mottau and whizzed past Brodeur's mask for the equalizer.

A healthy scratch during the first three games of the season before rookie defenseman Anssi Salmela was sent to the minors, fellow blue-liner Greene had given the Devils a 3-2 lead with 8:18 remaining after blasting a slap shot from the left side.

"I think it nicked (a defenseman's) shin pad or nicked something," Greene said. "It's better to keep them out, but it's always nice when one sneaks in there."

Parise converted a pass from Elias on the power play with 9:26 left in the third to pull even at 2-2. Elias took possession in the right corner and fed Parise, who tipped the puck in while on the doorstep.

Courtesy of an assist from Elias, Vrana scored in his NHL debut, forging a 1-1 tie with 7:12 remaining in the first.

"I think it's great," Vrana said. "Obviously, first NHL game you get a little butterflies. (Elias) is so patient. You watch his game, he's always in the right place. You feel like he's been playing for a long time, and he's confident."

Following an offensive-zone faceoff, Elias fired a shot from the right faceoff circle that Vrana redirected past Johnson to give his teammate his historic assist.

"He's like, 'I think I broke the record, the most (assists),'" Vrana said. "We were thinking about cutting (the puck) in half. I think I'm going to keep it and just give him something else. It was a great feeling. Great play, great faceoff. I just put my stick on the ice, (Elias) shot it. I wasn't actually sure at first if it went in or not. It's definitely a great feeling, a great play."

Semin opened the scoring five minutes into the game and defenseman Mike Green netted his fifth goal of the season with the man advantage midway through the second for the Capitals, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

"Anytime you play (Brodeur), you get up for the game," Johnson said. "He's arguably the best goalie that ever played."

The Devils entered play having scored just six goals in four games.

"When you get a lot shots like 160 or 170 in five games, that's pretty good," Langenbrunner said. "We're doing a lot of good things. We're not giving up a lot of chances either. We're creating stuff, and it's going to continue to get better."