Coyotes howl past Devils in Newark

It was all Coyotes as they surprised the first place Devils before a nice crowd of over 16,000 with a well earned 4-1 victory at The Rock in Newark.

They really controlled the second period outshooting Brent Sutter's club 17-13 including the first of two goals from Fredrik Sjostrom on the day for a one-goal lead.

Radim Vrbata and Sjostrom would tally less than four minutes apart to put Phoenix firmly in command up three with only 11:52 left.

The lone bright spot for the Devils was their leading scorer Zach Parise tallying his first career NHL shorthanded goal for his club best 15th off a scramble in front from Sergei Brylin and Patrik Elias to cut it to 3-1 with six minutes to go.

But with the Devs trying to mount a late rally on a power play, rookie Martin Hanzal got behind a defenseman on a NJ man-advantage and beat Martin Brodeur on a breakaway for a shorthanded goal with 2:0 remaining- the 20 year-old Czech's fourth point of the afternoon en route to being selected No.1 star.

Vrbata chipped in with his 12th goal and two helpers and Sjostrom tallied his sixth and seventh as Phoenix was able to rest starter Ilya Bryzgalov for tomorrow's MSG visit as backup Mikael Tellqvist was sharp stopping 31 of 32 in outdueling Brodeur who was very busy in seeing a season high 38 shots his way. He finished with 34 saves in a losing effort.

Despite WFAN radio Devils analyst Sherry Ross questioning whether Marty will be in net for tomorrow's 5 PM game against the Turnpike rival Flyers, you have to believe he'll start given who it's against. NJ has won two of three against them so far.


The Islanders aim for their second straight at The Coliseum later tonight when they play host to Sidney Crosby and Penguins in a fourth place battle.