Brodeur hits milestone in Malkin’s debut
Evgeni Malkin’s first goal in his much-anticipated NHL debut didn’t prevent Martin Brodeur from achieving a milestone of his own: his 450th career victory.
Brodeur withstood Malkin’s first career goal to become only the third goaltender in league history to reach the 450-win mark, with Jamie Langenbrunner’s goal in the third period making the difference in the New Jersey Devils’ 2-1 victory over the Penguins on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
Malkin, one of the most awaited young players in recent seasons, was everything he was supposed to be despite missing nearly a month of play with a dislocated left shoulder. The 6-foot-4 center made exceptional passes, used his long reach to grab pucks and set up scoring chances. He also showed he could create scoring by somehow finding a puck that Brodeur thought he had controlled and pushing it into the net at 18:38 of the second.
Predators 3, Rangers 0: At New York, Tomas Vokoun made 38 saves in his 17th NHL shutout, and Scott Nichol had a goal and assist for his first points of the season in surging Nashville’s victory over the Rangers.
Capitals 5, Panthers 2: At Washington, Alexander Semin had a goal and an assist during Washington’s five-goal first period, and the Capitals cruised past Florida.
Olie Kolzig had 34 saves, and Jamie Heward and Matt Bradley scored unassisted goals for Washington.
Avalanche 4, Maple Leafs 1: At Toronto, John-Michael Liles scored twice to lead Colorado to a victory over the Maple Leafs.
Brett McLean and Milan Hejduk also scored for the Avalanche, who avoided a three-game losing streak.
Blackhawks 2, Canadiens 1: At Chicago, Bryan Smolinski’s goal early in the third period lifted the Blackhawks over Montreal.
Martin Havlat, who entered the game as the league’s leading scorer, also scored for Chicago.
Ducks 4, Red Wings 1: At Anaheim, Calif., Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped 21 shots and the Ducks beat Detroit.
Corey Perry had a goal and two assists, and Ryan Getzlaf, Shane O’Brien and Chris Kunitz each had a goal and an assist for Anaheim.
Wild 2, Kings 1 (OT): At Los Angeles, Marian Gaborik scored his first goal of the season in overtime, helping Minnesota beat the Kings for their franchise-record sixth consecutive win.
Captain Brian Rolston scored the Wild’s 1,000th regular-season goal.
Off the ice
Veteran Petr Nedved, Niko Dimitrakos and Nolan Baumgartner were waived after one of the Philadelphia Flyers’ most lopsided losses in franchise history. The Flyers, who lost to Buffalo 9-1 Tuesday night, recalled right wing Stefan Ruzicka, defenseman Alexandre Picard and left wing Ben Eager from their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms.