NEWARK, N.J. – Martin Brodeur and the suddenly revived New Jersey Devils took advantage of the absence of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 on Thursday night.
Brodeur had a a relatively easy night, stopping 23 shots in posting his fourth shutout of the season and the NHL regular-season record 114th of his career.
Brian Rolston and rookie Nick Palmieri scored for the Devils, who have points in a season-high five straight games (4-0-1). The loss snapped the Penguins' three-game winning streak and was only their sixth in 23 road games (14-6-3).
The Devils' current streak started when Brodeur took back the starting job from Johan Hedberg. During that span the 38-year-old has allowed 10 goals and the offense has responded with 20.
The Penguins didn't offer much resistance with Crosby and Malkin sidelined in the same regular-season game for the first time since the 2006-07 season, Malkin's rookie year.
Crosby has missed seven straight games because of a concussion. The Penguins did not say what was wrong with Malkin, but his left knee has been bothering him recently.
Brodeur's best saves came in the third period. He stopped a backhand attempt by Jordan Staal on Pittsburgh's only power play early and close-in attempts by Chris Conner and Aaron Asham in the final 6 minutes.
Rolston gave Brodeur the only goal he would need when he scored on New Jersey's first shot of the game against Brent Johnson, who was making his first start since Jan. 6.
Devils defenseman Andy Greene made the outlet pass to Rolston, who gave the puck to Patrik Elias and then took a drop pass from the All Star forward. Rolston let a shot go from above the left circle that beat Johnson.
Palmieri got a gift at 9:51 of the opening period for his third goal of the season. Former Devils defenseman Paul Martin tried to bank the puck off the end boards to the other side of the net and Palmieri intercepted it alone in front and beat Johnson with a backhander.
NOTES: Penguins center Maxime Talbot was twice called for goaltender interference in the first 33:28. Matt Cooke shoved Brodeur to the ice late in the second period and got a free pass from the officials. ... The Penguins have killed off 21 straight road power plays, including all four by New Jersey on Thursday. ... Pittsburgh won the first two games with New Jersey this season. ... Forward Dustin Jeffrey, who was recalled from Wilkes Barre on Wednesday, was in the Pittsburgh lineup. ... Minnesota shut out the Penguins 4-0 on Jan. 8.