Toronto, Canada – NEWARK, New Jersey (Reuters) - Martin Brodeur took the NHL record for games played by a goaltender while leading the New Jersey Devils to a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Friday.
The Devils veteran, already the record-holder for the most wins by an NHL goaltender, surpassed Patrick Roy in his 1,030th appearance to add another milestone to his decorated career.
"It was a fun game to be a part of, to be sure," Brodeur told reporters. "It was an exciting game and it was fun to play."
Brodeur is also joint record-holder for the most regular season shutouts with Terry Sawchuk on 103 but was denied sole ownership of the mark by the Senators' (17-13-4) Alexandre Picard and Jarkko Ruutu, who scored in the second period.
After a see-saw contest early on, Jay Pandolfo and Bryce Salvador scored to break a 2-2 tie and seal the win for the Devils, who extended their winning streak over Ottawa to nine dating back to October 27, 2007.
Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rolston also scored for the Devils to support Brodeur, who overcame a collision with Ottawa's Jonathan Cheechoo in the second period that left the goaltender laid out on the ice for several minutes.
"He's probably the best goalie to ever play, so you have to get in front of him to limit vision as much as you can," Cheechoo said. "Even when he was screened he made saves most goalies wouldn't."
Brodeur's latest win extended his NHL-record total to 579 while reaching the games played record in two fewer seasons than Roy, who played for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche from 1985 to 2003.
Langenbrunner opened the scoring in the first period for New Jersey before Ottawa tied the game 39 seconds into the second through Picard.
Sens goaltender Brian Elliot finished with 18 saves. (Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford and Ian Ransom and Peter Rutherford)
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