NHL Roundup : Devils Win, 5-2, Making Chevrier 8-0 at Meadowlands

It is no longer a secret that the New Jersey Devils are just about unbeatable at home. In fact, it will come as something of a shock when goaltender Alain Chevrier finally loses at East Rutherford, N.J.

The third-year netminder stopped 23 shots Friday night, and with Doug Sulliman scoring twice, the Devils defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-2.

Chevrier, 26, is 8-0-0 at the Meadowlands and 10-4-1 overall. His play in the nets is a key reason the Devils are only one point out of first place in the Patrick Division.

The Blackhawks, who lead the Norris Division, are 0-7-1 in their last eight road games.

Sulliman scored 95 seconds after the opening faceoff, and the Devils built a 3-0 lead before the Blackhawks’ Rick Vaive scored his 16th goal late in the second period.

In his first two seasons with the Devils, Chevrier yielded almost 4.5 goals a game. With his maturity and the improvement of the Devils, he now has a goals-against record of 3.00.

“Playing 58 games under difficult circumstances last season is paying off now,” Chevrier said. “The whole team goes out there expecting to win. It’s a nice feeling.”

New York Rangers 4, Winnipeg 3--Marcel Dionne’s second goal of the game with 1:34 left in regulation at Winnipeg gave the Rangers only their second victory in the last 12 games.

The game was marred by a free-for-all in the first period. All the players on the ice except the two goaltenders were involved. Referee Ron Hoggarth meted out 77 minutes in penalties after order was restored.

Buffalo 5, Washington 3--Dave Andreychuk and Mike Foligno scored before the third period was half over to bring the Sabres from behind at Buffalo.

Lindy Ruff finished off the Capitals with a goal into an empty net with 26 seconds remaining.

Edmonton 4, Pittsburgh 1--Goaltender Grant Fuhr stopped 31 shots at Edmonton, including a first-period breakaway, to lead the Oilers to victory.

In his last three games on home ice, Fuhr has given up just two goals. He missed a shutout when Craig Simpson scored late in the first period on a power play.