The streaking Vancouver Canucks surged into first place overall in the NHL with a narrow 2-1 road win over the New Jersey Devils Friday.
The Canucks (40-16-6) have won six of their last seven games and moved past the idle Detroit Red Wings to take a one point lead in the standings. The loss snapped the Devils' (35-21-4) four-game win streak.
Aaron Rome gave the Canucks a 1-0 first period lead and Mason Raymond made it 2-0 early in the second, snapping a shot just inside the far post past a screened Martin Brodeur in the Devils goal.
David Clarkson scored in the second period for the Devils to cut the deficit but the home side could not find a game tying goal with Vancouver backup goalie Corey Schneider it excellent form. Schneider made 30 saves to earn his seventh consecutive victory.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario. Editing by Patrick Johnston)