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Red-hot Parise scores twice in Devils' rout

Feb 28, 2009 - 10:26 PM NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Zach Parise is taking dead aim on becoming the first 50-goal scorer in New Jersey Devils history.

Parise scored his 37th and 38th goals of the season Saturday as the Devils coasted to a 7-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.

New Jersey (40-19-3) opened a seven-point lead over idle Philadelphia (33-17-10) in the Atlantic Division. The Devils also posted their season-high sixth straight win at home.

"At this time of year, you want to make sure you're playing well at home," Parise said. "If and when you do get the home-ice advantage (in the playoffs), you want to be able to take advantage of it."

The third-year left wing, who entered Saturday's contest tied with Philadelphia's Jeff Carter for second in the NHL in goals, posted his second straight three-point game and recorded his third two-goal game in 12 February contests.

"We played them 10 weeks ago and their goalie (Tomas Vokoun)," Parise said, referring to the Panthers' 4-0 win on February 17. "Tonight, we were able to find the back of the net and at the same time we limited their chances."

On Saturday, backup Craig Anderson faced a constant barrage as the Devils outshot the Panthers, 46-17, dominating from start to finish.

Parise opened the scoring just 78 seconds into the contest and added an unassisted goal to give New Jersey a 2-0 lead with 3:07 left in the first period. He heard chants of "MVP" at the Prudential Center.

"It's great," he said. "It makes you feel like you're doing the right things about there."

Parise, who has eight goals in his last nine games, moved within 10 of the Devils' franchise record of 48 set by Brian Gionta in 2005-06. His current goal total matched the ninth-highest in team history.

"He does some things that are pretty amazing," New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur said.

Brodeur recorded just 15 saves in a quiet game for his 546th career victory, pulling within five of Patrick Roy's NHL record.

"We're winning, so (the lack of work) doesn't matter," he said. "I don't ask for too much work. The easier it is on me, the better it is."

Brodeur allowed his first goal in two games since returning from a nearly four-month absence when Ville Peltonen scored with 1:30 left in the second to make it 5-1. It ended Brodeur's scoreless streak of 139 minutes, 43 seconds, dating to the third period against Toronto on October 29.

"I think the problem now is we're getting away from our system," Florida defenseman Jassen Cullimore said. "That wasn't our type of game out there. We weren't playing the way we normally play and it was costing us."

Brodeur recorded 24 saves in Thursday's 4-0 win over Colorado, his first action since November 1 when he tore a biceps tendon against Atlanta. It was the 99th career shutout for the future Hall of Famer, who missed 50 games.

The Devils poured it on in the second as Brendan Shanahan, Travis Zajac, Brian Rolston, David Clarkson all scored in the period.

"We certainly have done some good things the last two games," New Jersey coach Brent Sutter said. "But I don't want to get too far ahead, either. We created a lot of offense tonight, but it started because we were good in our own zone."

Florida slipped to 1-2 on its five-game road trip that continues in Washington on Sunday and Atlanta on Tuesday.