Devils Skate Past Rangers 3-1 in Garden

NEW YORK – Patrik Elias scored his eighth game-winning goal of the season to lead the New Jersey Devils to a 3-1 victory Monday night over the New York Rangers.

Martin Brodeur was forced to make just 16 saves in his 65th consecutive start against New York. The Devils ran their unbeaten streak at Madison Square Garden to seven games (4-0-3).

Rangers goaltender Mike Dunham played well in defeat, especially in the first period when he stopped 15 shots and held off the Devils during two-man advantage that lasted 51 seconds. New Jersey has converted just three of its last 35 power plays.

Jan Hrdina and Jay Pandolfo also scored for the Devils. Jozef Balej had his first NHL goal for the Rangers, now within five points of elimination from playoff contention.

Any combination of New York Islanders points or points missed by the Rangers totaling five will mathematically eliminate the Rangers.

New Jersey broke a stalemate at 10:14 of the second period on a fine individual effort from Hrdina. Forechecking aggressively, he stole the puck from Rangers defenseman Bryce Lampman and put a quick wrist shot from 10 feet out past Dunham for his 12th goal.

Elias made it 2-0 at 2:57 of the third period with his 34th goal. He one-timed a pass from Scott Gomez pass from behind the net past Dunham from in close.

New York made it 2-1 when Balej came across the blue line, took a pass from Jan Hlavac, deked Brodeur to the ice and shot the puck over the prone goaltender at 6:24.

Pandolfo closed out the scoring with his 12th goal, at 18:30.

Notes:@ Forward Viktor Kozlov played his first game for the Devils since being traded by the Florida Panthers. Kozlov had been out with a concussion since Feb. 14. … Devils center Igor Larionov, out since March 11 with a bruised wrist, did not dress and is day-to-day. … Devils forward Brian Gionta, hit in the face with the puck March 5, was also scratched and is listed as day-to-day.