MARTY KEEPS ZIPPIN’ ALONG
TAMPA – As their shutouts continue, the Devils return to what was then the high point of their season, looking to create another.
They have won 10-of-11 as they visit the Lightning here tonight, resuming a four-game road swing that concludes against the Panthers tomorrow night.
New Jersey smashed the defending Stanley Cup champs 8-2 here Nov. 25, their largest margin of victory this season as well their biggest offensive explosion of the year.
That victory moved the Devils back to .500 after a sorry start, but prosperity lasted only one more game. Then they went on a 2-9 skid that culminated in the departure of Larry Robinson.
They stand two games over .500 thanks to their 2006 run of 10-1, and tonight with a win can move three games over for the first time this season.
Their game has returned to their familiar level with Patrik Elias’ return to action in the 2006 opener, but they’ve also been racking up the shutouts.
Martin Brodeur has turned in four spotless outings in that 11-game stretch after going the first 39 games without one.
Brodeur grabbed a share of second place among the league leaders with Dominik Hasek behind Mikka Kiprusoff’s six with Tuesday’s 4-0 blanking of the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
Brodeur suffered a left knee strain in the first period of that victory, but completed the game. He sprained his right knee in October, missing six games, but this injury to the other leg is not deemed serious. He did not, however, skate in yesterday’s optional practice and is expected to test the knee in today’s morning workout.
Tuesday’s victory gave Brodeur 99 career NHL shutouts, regular season and playoffs combined. Brodeur ranks seventh all-time with 79 regular season zips, tops among actives, with Alex Connell and Tiny Thompson (81), Jacques Plante (82) and Glenn Hall (84) within reach this season.
Brodeur’s 20 playoff shutouts trail only Patrick Roy’s 23, and his combined total is exceeded only by the 115 of Terry Sawchuk (103 plus 12) and the 102 of George Hainsworth (94 plus eight).
*
With Grant Marshall idled Tuesday from elbow from Darius Kasparaitis Sunday in 3-1 loss at the Garden, Devils gave winger Jason Ryznar his NHL debut. The 6-3, 200-pounder is another Anchorage native who played four years at the University of Michigan.
Devils return to play host to Ottawa Wednesday, then retire Scott Stevens’ No. 4 Feb. 3 vs Carolina.
Victory here in November was Devils’ first in regular season since 2000-01. They stand 1-4-2 in their last seven regular season visits. They were 1-1 here in the 2003 playoffs.


