Devils Make Their Points to Rangers

The only thing the New Jersey Devils need to either pick up a couple of points or to break a slump is a game against the New York Rangers.

The Devils extended their unbeaten streak against their cross-river rivals to 15 games as Vadim Sharifijanov, Randy McKay and Petr Sykora scored first-period goals Wednesday night in a 3-2 victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

Devil goaltender Martin Brodeur faced only 13 shots, with rookie defenseman Kim Johnsson scoring both Ranger goals on shots from the point that Brodeur never saw.

The victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Devils, who are 11-0-4 against the Rangers since losing, 3-0, on Jan. 12, 1997.

“Every time we play them, it’s just different around the locker room, everyone is more focused,” Devil forward Patrik Elias said. “I think we are very confident to play against those guys and we are showing it on the ice.”

Detroit 4, San Jose 2--Brendan Shanahan had two goals, including the winner allowed after a video review, to lead the Red Wings at Detroit.

Shanahan broke a 2-2 tie moments after Owen Nolan lost control of the puck on a short-handed breakaway near the Detroit net. The Red Wings skated back and Nicklas Lidstrom passed to Shanahan, who fired a shot past Mike Vernon from the right circle.

Dallas 3, Montreal 2--Mike Keane and Brett Hull scored late in the third period as the Stars rallied at Montreal.

Edmonton 3, Colorado 1--Alexander Selivanov scored his 18th goal to help the Oilers beat the Avalanche in Alberta. Ryan Smyth and Bill Guerin also scored for Edmonton, which broke a three-game losing streak.

Around the League

The Edmonton Oilers acquired center Rob Murray from the Phoenix Coyotes for center Eric Houde. . . . Mattias Ohlund, a defenseman who was nearly blinded in one eye, has begun working out but is probably weeks away from playing for the Vancouver Canucks. . . . Rich Pilon, who played 12 years for the New York Islanders before being placed on waivers this week, was claimed by the New York Rangers.