Parise, Langenbrunner score in shootout, Brodeur foils Semin, Ovechkin in Devils’ 3-2 victory

Brodeur shines as Devils edge Capitals in shootout

WASHINGTON — Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner scored in the shootout, New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur stopped shootout attempts by Alexander Semin and Alex Ovechkin and the Devils beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 Monday night for their third straight victory.

Nicklas Backstrom tallied for the Capitals in the shootout, but Brodeur used his left arm to block Semin’s drive and kicked away Ovechkin’s shot at the left post.

Brian Rolston and David Clarkson tallied in regulation for the Devils, who notched their third consecutive road victory to open a season — something New Jersey hasn’t done since winning its first four road games in 1989-90.

Mike Knuble celebrated his promotion to Washington’s top line with a goal and an assist, and Mike Green also scored for the Capitals, who have lost four straight. Ovechkin was held without a goal for a third straight game, but contributed two assists.

The Capitals, hampered by ill-timed penalties during their skid, killed off all five power plays by the Devils, who had scored man-advantage goals in each of their previous three games.

With Brendan Morrison in the box for tripping in overtime, Washington goalie Jose Theodore blocked a shot by Parise at the right post to preserve the tie.

Green’s goal, the first by a Washington defenseman this year, provided a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period. Green pinched in from the left wing, using Knuble as a screen and whacked Ovechkin’s rebound from a right-side shot past Martin Brodeur’s glove.

Just over 5 minutes later, Knuble made it 2-0. After Jose Theodore blocked a Devils shot, Ovechkin took the puck, raced down the left wing and sent a rink-wide pass to Knuble, who snapped off a shot that hopped in over Brodeur’s stick.

Rolston trimmed the lead in half 8:18 into the second period, converting from the right wing after a cross-ice feed from Rob Niedermayer.

With 6:26 remaining in regulation, Clarkson used defenseman Brian Pothier as a screen in front of the crease and banged home Niclas Bergfors’ centering pass from behind the net.

Notes: Clarkson has points in four straight games. … Capitals LW Tomas Fleischmann, who hasn’t played this season while recovering from a blood clot in his leg, hopes to be cleared soon by team doctors so he can participate in practices, Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. … Green celebrated his 24th birthday Monday. … Devils C Travis Zajac had a three-game goal-scoring streak halted.