East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Martin Brodeur moved one win away from tying Patrick Roy for the all-time victory mark with a 26-save performance to help the New Jersey Devils take a 5-2 decision over the Phoenix Coyotes.
The win was No. 550 for the perennial All-Star and he will have his first chance to tie the record on Saturday when New Jersey plays in Montreal, where Roy recorded most of his wins in his career.
Patrik Elias had a goal and an assist while Zach Parise recorded his 40th goal of the season for the Devils, who have won six of their last seven games.
Scottie Upshall and Steven Reinprecht each lit the lamp for the Coyotes, who have dropped their last four games. Josh Tordjman made 31 saves in the loss.
The Devils got things going just 18 seconds in as Parise's one-timer from the left circle found the back of the net.
Less than three minutes later, New Jersey made it a 2-0 contest. A soft pass from the right point by Johnny Oduya to the slot was redirected into the net by a charging John Madden.
Phoenix got one back at the 9:34 mark of the first while on the power play as Upshall backhanded a bouncing puck into the net past a sprawled out Brodeur.
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New Jersey made it a 3-1 game just 7:11 into the second period on Dainius Zubrus' 14th goal of the season
Elias made it a 4-1 contest with 6:57 left in the second to give the Devils a 4-1 advantage.
Travis Zajac lit the lamp on the power play at the 4:58 mark of the final 20 minutes to give New Jersey a 5-1 lead.
Reinprecht's goal with 2:08 to play accounted for the final score.
