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Panthers 4, Devils 0
Associated Press

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) - Roberto Luongo's personal milestone only made the Florida Panthers' latest victory that much better.

Luongo and his teammates just wanted a win.

The Panthers goalie earned his 100th NHL victory and third shutout of the season by making 22 saves in a 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.

"It (100th win) is nice to get but the two points are much more encouraging," Luongo said. "It's a huge game for us."

Luongo improved to 20-20-8 and posted his first shutout since notching back-to-back blankings in the first two games of the season.

Martin Gelinas, Chris Gratton, Olli Jokinen, and Jozef Stumpel all scored against New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, who earlier in the day agreed to a six-year contract extension that will pay him $31.2 million.

The Devils were shut out for the second straight night in Florida. New Jersey lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay in overtime on Thursday and hasn't scored since the second period of a 4-0 win Tuesday at the New York Islanders.

"When you don't score a goal in two games it's disappointing," Devils coach Lou Lamoriello said. "We just weren't sharp, it's as simple as that."

It was Brodeur's first loss to the Panthers this season in four games and snapped his 13-game unbeaten streak at Florida. Brodeur stopped 36 shots.

"You can't really see it coming," Brodeur said. "I thought we'd be able to bounce back. We had our chances. We'll move on from this and learn we can't just play hockey, we have to play good hockey."

Florida took a 1-0 lead at 9:26 of the second period. Jay Bouwmeester took a shot from the point, and Gelinas put the rebound between Brodeur's legs. It was the first power-play goal for the Panthers in four games.

"Finally we were able to score the power-play goal and get a lead," Jokinen said. "Then, we played solid hockey for 60 minutes and shut them down."

The Panthers went ahead 2-0 on Gratton's goal at 12:23 of the period. Rostislav Olesz passed from the left circle across the front of the net to Gratton, who was waiting to the right of the crease and put it in on Brodeur's glove side.

Florida stretched its lead to 3-0 at 6:19 of the third when Jokinen's shot from the right circle got past Brodeur's outstretched right leg and into the net.

"We played a smart and patient game and didn't beat ourselves," Panthers coach Jacques Martin said. "Luongo made some big saves at key times in the game."

Stumpel's shot from the left circle put the Panthers ahead 4-0 at 15:07 of the third.

Notes: Olesz returned to the ice for the first time since injuring his right shoulder on Jan. 12. ... Stumpel has nine points in seven games. ... The Panthers are 9-1-3 at home since Dec. 13. ... The Devils had won 10 of 11 before dropping two straight. ... Brodeur is 27-9-7 against the Panthers.


Three star selections
1st:   ROBERTO LUONGO
2nd:   MARTIN GELINAS
3rd:   ROSTISLAV OLESZ
Winning Goaltender
Roberto Luongo

Losing Goaltender
Martin Brodeur

 

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