Brodeur makes 28 saves, Elias scores 2 goals in Devils’ 4-0 win over Stars

Brodeur stops 28 in Devils’ 4-0 win over Stars

NEWARK, N.J. — Martin Brodeur made 28 saves for his third shutout in seven games, and Patrik Elias scored twice as the New Jersey Devils beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 on Tuesday night.

Brodeur extended his NHL record by posting career shutout No. 106. He has five this season.

Travis Zajac and Zach Parise added goals, and captain Jamie Langenbrunner, the NHL’s first star from last week, had two assists for Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey.

The Devils ended a two-game losing streak to the Stars with their ninth win in 11 games.

Dallas has won only one of its last nine away from home (1-5-3).

New Jersey opened the scoring when Elias tipped Brian Rolston’s point shot past Alex Auld with 1:58 remaining in the first period.

In the second, Dallas had excellent opportunities to tie it after Elias was whistled for cross-checking at 4:43, but Brodeur denied Loui Eriksson, and Trevor Daley hit the post.

The failed power play was costly as Elias, just out of the penalty box, fired a shot over Auld’s right shoulder to give the Devils a 2-0 lead at 6:59.

Zajac then ended a 12-game goal drought with a power-play tally at 9:36. Stars coach Marc Crawford called his timeout in an effort to settle the team.

It didn’t help, as Parise expanded the Devils lead to 4-0 at 18:11.

The focus then turned to preserving the shutout. The Stars generated little sustained pressure in the final period as Brodeur made a sharp-angle stop on Tom Wandell and a pad save on Eriksson.

Elias took a tripping penalty with 3:34 left, giving Dallas one final shot to score. Brodeur was up to challenge, stopping Brad Richards and Mike Modano.

NOTES: The Devils placed RW David Clarkson on injured reserve and activated LW Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond from that list. Clarkson played two games after missing 13 because of a non-displaced fracture above the right ankle. He will miss another two to three weeks after aggravating the injured area, according to general manager Lou Lamoriello. “Let’s just make sure everything is healed up without any question. No chances will be taken,” Lamoriello said. … Lamoriello said C Dainius Zubrus, sidelined 21 games because of a fractured right kneecap, will resume skating soon but is still “a few weeks away.” … The Devils honored their 2000 Stanley Cup winning team that wrested the title away from Dallas. Only Brodeur, D Colin White, LW Jay Pandolfo and Elias remain from the squad that beat the Stars in six games.