Martin Brodeur always gives the Florida Panthers fits - even when they're not stuck in such a discouraging slump. The New Jersey goalie made 24 saves in a 5-1 victory on Wednesday night, sending Florida to its 12th consecutive loss.
Colin White, Grant Marshall and Brian Gionta scored in a span of 1:33 in the first period for the visiting Devils, and Brodeur improved to 30-8-7 against the Panthers in his career.
"They get a goal and it seems as though we get away from our game," Florida goalie Roberto Luongo said. "We put our heads down or something. I've never went 12 games without winning. That's new for a lot of guys."
Sean Hill scored his first goal of the season for Florida, 0-8-4 since its last win at Pittsburgh on October 25. The Panthers are one defeat from tying the team record for consecutive losses set in 1998.
Alexander Mogilny and Scott Gomez each added a goal in the second. Luongo allowed five goals on 19 shots before being pulled for Jamie McLennan at 15:30 of the second.
"Once we got up early on them with those three goals, we just stuck with what we were doing," said Gionta, who leads the Devils with 14 goals.
In other National Hockey League games, it was: Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 1; Red Wings 7, Avalanche 3; Sabres 4, Islanders 3 (in shootout); Lightning 4, Capitals 3 (in SO); Predators 4, Blue Jackets 2; Stars 3, Mighty Ducks 1; Flames 3, Sharks 2; and Oilers 4, Wild 3.
Brodeur hasn't lost on the road to the Panthers since April 9, 1997.
"We were getting our shots through and getting guys to the net," he said. "We played a team that was desperate to win and we did the right things to discourage them by taking the puck to them and getting to Luongo early."
Referee Don Van Massenhoven left in the third period after he was hit in the face by a puck, and the remaining 17 minutes were played with only three officials. He was helped off the ice with a towel covering his face. There was no further word on his condition.
In Toronto, Glen Murray scored twice to help Boston end a six-game losing streak - its longest in eight years.
Owner Jeremy Jacobs called the slide very disappointing and questioned his team's desire and work ethic in a Boston newspaper. The Bruins responded, outshooting the Maple Leafs 37-20 and ending Toronto's season-best four-game winning streak.
In Detroit, Mikael Samuelsson had two goals and two assists for the Red Wings, who snapped a four-game losing streak.
It was Detroit's first game since defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed on the bench on Monday night in the first period against Nashville. He was released from the hospital on Wednesday and was resting at home.
The Red Wings put the 25-year-old Fischer on injured reserve. General Manager Ken Holland said doctors told Fischer to refrain from physical activity for four to six weeks.
(The Associated Press)
