Looks like the Devils are rolling, huh? With their 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers, that makes it six wins in their last seven games. And with Brian Rolston back in the lineup, and Bobby Holik set to return any day now, things are going about as well as they could for Brent Sutter's men. Star-Ledger Devils beat writer Rich Chere takes a look at what is going on with the Devils at the moment.

1. When the horn sounded to end the regulation 60 minutes, Devils TV analyst Chico Resch said the Devils had just earned their biggest point of the year. It follows, then, that after Patrik Elias scored in overtime, that turned it into the biggest win of the year for the Devils. Was it?

I think so. As goalie Scott Clemmensen said: "That was definitely big. On the road against one of our big rivals, a divisional opponent ahead of us in the standings and we're down by a goal with three and a half minutes left. So it's a very big win."

Tom Mihalek/Associated PressPatrik Elias, top, is hugged by Zach Parise after scoring the overtime game-winner against the Flyers.

PHILADELPHIA -- Two or three goals in overtime could be considered lucky. Half a dozen would be viewed as a very respectable number for an entire career.

Patrik Elias, on the other hand, is now on the verge of becoming the NHL's all-time overtime king.

By scoring the 15th OT goal of his career and lifting the Devils to an important 3-2 victory over the Flyers Thursday night at the Wachovia Center, Elias tied Jaromir Jagr and Mats Sundin as the league's all-time leaders.

"I knew I was kind of up there," Elias said modestly.

Eric Hartline/US PresswireScott Clemmensen's start against the Flyers marked the first time someone other than Martin Brodeur was in goal for the Devils against the Flyers since 2002.

NOTEBOOK

PHILADELPHIA -- It sure looks like the Devils have a temporary No. 1 goaltender until Martin Brodeur returns in March from a torn tendon in his left arm. But no one will say so.

Scott Clemmensen made his fourth straight start Thursday night and seventh in eight games.

"I try not to read into it," said Clemmensen, 5-3-0 this season. "But at this point I'm going to be ready to play every game. I'm not surprised. I think I played well enough the last few weeks, including the game in Pittsburgh, to warrant it."

They've become Devils coach Brent Sutter's biggest weapons in overtime. Skating four-on-four, Sutter has turned to putting Patrik Elias and Zach Parise together.

It was Elias who scored the overtime winner Thursday night against the Flyers on a pass from Parise.

"Parise and Patty. I started trying it a few games ago," Sutter explained. "They're two of your top end guys. They can make things happen and they're both responsible defensively."

Pouya Dianat/Associated PressBrian Rolston was down and out with an ankle injury in October -- he didn't try to rush his comeback.

PHILADELPHIA -- It took seven cautious weeks, but the Devils finally got their top free-agent acquisition of the summer back Thursday night.

Brian Rolston, who suffered a high ankle sprain in only the fourth game of the season on Oct. 16 in Atlanta, returned to the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wachovia Center.

He was anxious, to say the least.

"Absolutely. It's been a long time, obviously," Rolston said before the game. "It's such a slow process with an ankle to just feel comfortable on the ice. I finally feel comfortable enough to play. I'm excited to be back and to get into this routine again of playing hockey."

Zach Parise's 14th goal of the season for the Devils erased a 1-0 Flyers lead at 17:17 of the second period. After his backhander was stopped at the left side of the crease, Parise carried the puck behind the net and emerged on the right side.

He tried to wrap it around the right post past goalie Martin Biron, but was denied. Parise then lifted the puck into the net as Jamie Langenbrunner remained on the ice in the crease.

Scott Hartnell jammed the puck past Scott Clemmensen with 52.7 seconds left in the second period, but it came after the whistle had blown.

Maybe it's because he is only six years younger, but Devils' forward Bobby Holik is paying attention to the comeback attempt of former teammate Claude Lemieux.

Holik, who was a healthy scratch Thursday night as the Devils faced the Flyers at the Wachovia Center, said he isn't surprised to hear that Lemieux is in great physical condition at the age of 43. And he would welcome the chance to play with Lemieux.

"I would love to play with the Pep," Holik said. "Playing with him was the most fun I've had. But I don't know if you can have two old guys on the same line."

Brian Rolston, playing his first game since Oct. 16, skated at right wing for the Devils on a line with John Madden and Jay Pandolfo. But the Devils were unable to generate much offense in a scoreless first period against the Flyers at the Wachovia Center.

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond played left wing with center Mike Rupp and right winger David Clarkson. The Devils' top two lines remained the same.

With Letourneau-Leblond wearing No. 25, defenseman Jay Leach was given No. 28, which had been worn by Anssi Salmela. Leach was paired on defense with Mike Mottau.

The Devils and Flyers face each other Thursday night for the first time since a home-and-home series Oct. 24-25. Here are three things to watch:

1. Brian Rolston's return. How much will he play? That will depend upon how quick he gets back into the flow. This much is certain: Coach Brent Sutter will use him on the point for the Devils' power play.

2. Shorthanded goals. The Flyers lead the NHL in shorthanded goals with 10 in 24 games. The fact that the Devils have two forwards (Brian Rolston and Jamie Langenbrunner) on the power play points will make it interesting. "Brian Rolston is supposed to be a power play specialist on the point and Jamie Langenbrunner has done a great job on the point," Sutter said. "I don't think we should have to change units for certain teams."

3. Smoke bomb alert. The last time the teams played in Philadelphia a flare was tossed onto the ice and acted like a smoke bomb. Will security be tighter? Does it need to be? "That was a first for me," David Clarkson said. "I didn't even know what it was at first."

Devils coach Brent Sutter insists he still doesn't have a No. 1 goaltender, but it sure is looking that way.

Scott Clemmensen was set to start his fourth straight game Thursday night against the Flyers at the Wachovia Center.

"The decision is to go with Scott. Does that mean we have a No. 1 guy? I don't look at it like that," Sutter said before the game. "Weeksie's going to get called upon again."

I drove up to Worcester, Mass., Tuesday and spent the day with Claude Lemieux, who is playing for the San Jose Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate in his attempt to return to the NHL.

Although he is 43 years old and out of the NHL for almost five years, Lemieux is certain he'll be back within a matter of weeks. He's played four games for Worcester on a minor league contract and has a goal and an assist.

He looks great and is in phenomenal shape. He also has a great attitude. I wouldn't bet against him making it back to the NHL for the second half of this season.

AP Fiile PhotoBrian Rolston hasn't played since Oct. 16.

First, the news of the day: Brian Rolston will play against the Philadelphia Flyers (presumably), according to coach Brent Sutter.

"I'm assuming he will (play),'' Sutter said of Rolston, who has missed 18 games with a right ankle sprain. "Unless something comes up (to change things). But I'm assuming he will be.''

The Devils Wednesday assigned defenseman Anssi Salmela to AHL Lowell and recalled defenseman Jay Leach.

Salmela, a rookie from Finland, has played 15 games for the Devils this season, averaging 15:05 in ice time and collecting three assists and a plus-minus rating of +2, with four penalty minutes. Leach has been a valuable reserve player for the Devils, filling in when injuries have hit on the backline. He played two games for the Devils last week in Florida when Mike Mottau was suspended for his hit on the Islanders' Frans Nielsen. Leach has played in four games for the Devils, with one assist and a plus-3 rating.

I couldn't fit this into the newspaper story I filed for tomorrow, but thought it was interesting enough to put it out there for discussion. In answering a question about what the return of Brian Rolston means to the Devils' lineup, coach Brent Sutter suggested he is at a point where he could do away with using a checking line centered by John Madden against other teams' top forward lines.

In the first place, Sutter said, it's more important to get the right defense pair out against the other team's top stars than a specific forward line. In the second place, with Madden out of the lineup the past four games because of a bruised ankle, other players have stepped up and shown they can be trusted to play responsibly defensively against the other team's top stars.

Martin Brodeur came by to say hello to his Devils teammates Tuesday.

The injured goaltender, who had surgery to re-attach a biceps tendon last month, chatted with goalies Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes in the locker room after practice. He said he has begun to rehab his injury and he is making good progress.

Star-Ledger File PhotoBobby Holik has played five games for the Devils this season.

Bobby Holik seemed a little bemused by the attention Tuesday he got after practicing with the team for the first time since he suffered a broken right pinkie Oct. 18 in a game against Washington.

Star-Ledger File PhotoBobby Holik has not played for the Devils since October 18.

And then there were only two.

Martin Brodeur and defenseman Andy Greene are now the only remaining injured Devils as Bobby Holik returned to practice today after missing 17 games with a broken pinkie.

With Holik's return, the Devils sent rookie forward Petr Vrana to AHL Lowell for conditioning.

Brian Rolston may be just as happy to be back with his Devils teammates as they are to see the veteran forward return from a sprained ankle.

Although Rolston has been around the Prudential Center practice facility in recent weeks, the Devils keep their injured players on a different timetable.

"I agree with this policy in which they try to keep injured players away because you're not really part of the team," Rolston said after practicing with the team Monday. "When you come back you're part of the team. We went through a lot. We had seven or so guys out of the lineup. You don't need the distraction of those (injured) guys sitting in the trainers' room."

Devils' prospect Matt Halischuk watched practice Monday in Newark. He was in New Jersey to have his arthroscopically-repaired knee examined.

Halischuk, injured Lowell's AHL game Nov. 7 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., said he had arthroscopic surgery three weeks ago and doctors said the injury wasn't as severe as originally diagnosed.

"It turned out not to be as bad as they thought," he said. "It was a partially torn ACL."

Halischuk said he hopes to play again this season.

Brian Rolston and John Madden both hope to play in Thursday night's game against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

However, even after both players practiced with the team Monday morning and announced they are fit, coach Brent Sutter is taking the cautious approach.

"I guess after what we've gone through the last two months, you keep your guard up," Sutter said. "There's optimism."

Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-LedgerCenter Bobby Holik could practice with the Devil tomorrow

Devils center Bobby Holik could practice with the team tomorrow.

He is set to see a doctor today.

"I'm hopeful, perhaps tomorrow (for Holik return)," head coach Bruce Sutter said.

Holik suffered an injury to his right pinkie against Washington last month and had surgery on the finger October 21.

Injured forwards Brian Rolston and John Madden were both on the ice Monday morning as the Devils practiced at the Prudential Center.

Rolston has been out with a high right ankle sprain and Madden with a bruised left ankle after being hit by a shot. Neither Bobby Holik (broken right pinkie) nor Andy Greene (broken right hand) took part in practice.

"I hope I'm playing Thursday, that's what I'm shooting for," Rolston said this morning. "I'm feeling okay."

Left winger Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond was also on the ice, recalled from Lowell (AHL). The Devils face the Flyers Thursday night, so...

After five straight victories, the Devils turned in one of their weaker efforts of the season. Beat writer Rich Chere breaks down last night's 4-1 loss to the Penguins:

Gene J. Puskar/Associated PressMike Mottau tries to stop Sidney Crosby, who had a hat trick and assisted on another goal as the Penguins snapped the Devils' five-game winning streak.

During several exceptional shifts, no one in this universe belonged on the ice with Sidney Crosby.

A dazzling Crosby scored a hat trick and assisted on another goal as the Devils saw their five-game winning streak come to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Penguins at Mellon Arena.

Sidney Crosby put on an offensive clinic.

But Devils coach Brent Sutter wasn't prepared to say the Devils were manhandled by the Penguins' captain in their 4-1 loss.

"He's a good player, don't get me wrong," Sutter said of Crosby. "For 40 minutes they dictated how the game was going to be played and we allowed it to happen. It wasn't one of our better games in the last 10 games. It was a game where for 40 minutes we were on our heels too much.

Former Devils winger Petr Sykora scored a power play goal at 7:26 of the second period before Sidney Crosby scored his second of the game to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead over the Devils.

Sykora's goal was a highlight reel play following an interference penalty by Zach Parise against Janne Pesonen.

Somehow, Evgeni Malkin kept the puck in at the blue line after it deflected off Jamie Langenbrunner. Malkin then made a backhand pass to Tyler Kennedy, who fed Sidney Crosby in the right circle.

Sidney Crosby greeted the Devils and goalie Scott Clemmensen with a spectacular goal 21 seconds into the game. After skating between defensemen Paul Martin and Bryce Salvador and then turning on the speed, the Penguins captain was unable to get a shot on net.

But Crosby held onto the puck and backhanded a shot from below the left circle that deflected off Clemmensen and landed in the net. It was Crosby's eighth goal in nine games and 11th of the season.

Crosby almost scored again at 7:26 with the teams skating 4-against-4. He broke through the New Jersey defense again, but Clemmensen made a kick save.

The Devils and Penguins square off in Mellon Arena Saturday night. Three things to watch:

1. Dainius Zubrus. He was feeling ill all day and didn't participate in the morning skate. How will he perform in what will be a tough assignment?

2. Return of Mike Mottau. He served a two-game suspension. There could be some rust.

3. More Scott Clemmensen. Coach Brent Sutter is sticking with him. No one is calling him a No. 1 yet, but a string performance could seal that distinction.

Dainius Zubrus was clearly not feeling his best, but the Devils' center was determined to play in Saturday night's game against the Penguins despite a stomach problem that prevented him from taking part in the morning skate.

Asked how he was feeling, Zubrus said; "I'm here standing in front of you. I should be OK. It's sickness more than anything."

Most upsetting was the change in his day.

"I didn't really have my whole routine, like eating," Zubrus said. "I have to drink a lot of water, stay hydrated."

Dainius Zubrus, bothered by a bad stomach, did not take part in Saturday's morning skate, but Devilks coach Brent Sutter said the center will play against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"He's fine. He wasn't feeling 100 percent," Sutter said. "We gave him the morning off and he'll be ready to go tonight. He was going to go one (the ice). It was my decision, actually, for him to stay off."

Scott Clemmensen will make his third straight start in goal for the Devils. Although it will be his seventh start in nine games, Clemmensen doesn't consider himself the team's No. 1 goalie.

Although he came over from the hotel on the team bus, Dainius Zubrus did not take part in the Devils' skate at Mellon Arena Saturday morning. Since he came over with the team, it is very likely that he will play against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Eleven forwards and assistant coach John MacLean took part in the skate. I'll have more on Zubrus, as well as coach Brent Sutter's goalie selection, when I get it.

As Colin Stephenson reported Friday, defenseman Mike Mottau is back from his two-game suspension and with the team. He has been paired Saturday morning with Anssi Salmela.

The post-practice chat with coach Brent Sutter didn't yield much in the way of news. Mike Mottau will be back in the lineup, and Sutter, naturally, is happy to have him. John Madden is not ready to return, however, and the coach doesn't have much to say about that.

Oh, and Sutter will let everyone know who's playing in goal against the Penguins on Saturday.

The Devils are skating at the practice rink in Newark and 20 players are on the ice. Defenseman Mike Mottau, having served his two-game suspension for elbowing the Islanders Frans Nielsen, is eligible to return to action tomorrow and he is out there. With that in mind, defenseman Jay Leach, called up Sunday from AHL Lowell, has been returned to the Devils' farm club.

John Madden (left ankle) is not on the ice. I'll inquire about his status, and whether he'll be making the trip to Pittsburgh when I talk to coach Brent Sutter after practice (although, I have to assume Madden, who missed the last three games, would be practicing if he was ready to play).

Today's practice lines: Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner; Elias-Zubrus-Gionta; Pandolfo-Rupp-Clarkson; Tallackson-Vrana-Brookbank.

Savoring a five-game winning streak, the Devils flew back to New Jersey after their 3-2 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers and arrived home early Thursday morning.

Most of the writers and broadcasters flew back Thursday morning to enjoy Thanksgiving Day at home. The Devils were given the day off. They will practice Friday afternoon and then head to Pittsburgh for Saturday night's game with the Penguins at Mellon Arena.

The Devils are 12-7-2. Last year at Thanksgiving they were 9-10-2.

Although he is Canadian, Devils coach Brent Sutter was asked what he is thankful for this year.

Star-Ledger Devils beat writer Rich Chere was witness to another emotional Devils victory Wednesday, this one a 3-2 overtime win after the team blew a two-goal lead late in the game. He gives his take on the continued success of Scott Clemmensen, the possibility of a Jay Bouwmeester trade, and an underrated performance by coach Brent Sutter:

1. After the Devils won - and the rest of the bench was congratulating Johnny Oduya on his goal - Kevin Weekes was out encouraging Scott Clemmensen, who gave up two goals in the final 2:19 of regulation to put the game into overtime. Is that all we need to know about how close these guys are?

Joel Auerbach/US PresswireBrian Gionta and Colin White congratulate Johnny Oduya after he scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- It could have been the most heartbreaking loss of Scott Clemmensen's NHL career.

Emerging as the goalie who might be capable of holding the fort for the Devils until Martin Brodeur returns some time in March from a torn tendon in his left arm, Clemmensen saw a 2-0 lead disappear in the final 2:19 of regulation time.

Not until Johnny Oduya scored after 4:04 of overtime, lifting the Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers Wednesday night at the BankAtlantic Center, could Clemmensen find an added reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving Day.

Trailing, 2-0, to the Devils, the Florida Panthers pulled starting goalie Tomas Vokoun after one period.

Vokoun, who allowed two goals on 12 shots in the first, was replaced at the start of the second period by Craig Anderson.

Brian Gionta, who scored in the first period, had several chances in the second. He was stopped by Anderson in front at 10:58.

Brian Gionta scored a power play goal at 5:33 of the opening period Wednesday night and Travis Zajac scored at even strength late in the period as the Devils took a 2-0 lead over the Florida Panthers at the BankAtlantic Center.

Gionta's score, with 17 seconds remaining on a Kamil Kreps holding penalty, gave Gionta goals in five straight games.

Johnny Oduya carried the puck in and threw it towards the net. Gionta reached out with his stick near the left hash marks and tipped it past goalie Tomas Vokoun. It was his seventh goal of the season.

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerJay Leach, left, scored his first NHL point Sunday against the Lightning.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The weather on Monday was perfect. Sunny with temperatures in the 70s and low humidity.

The Devils had a day off without practice or commitments, a rare opportunity during the hectic hockey season.

So what did Jay Leach, the Devils' 29-year-old defenseman, do with his free day in south Florida?

"Catch up on my sleep," he said.

J. Pat Carter/Associated PressBrent Sutter watched son Brandon, right, play against the Panthers Monday night.

NOTEBOOK

SUNRISE, Fla. -- His players have given him some grief for wearing a Carolina Hurricanes jersey, but Devils coach Brent Sutter has no regrets and hopes to do it again some day.

"A couple of guys mentioned a couple of things about it," Sutter said with a grin. "They thought maybe there was some kind of fine for wearing another team's jersey. I told them if there is a problem, they'll have to find another coach. Pretty simple."

Like several NHL clubs, the Hurricanes took their fathers on a road trip to Florida. With the Devils in south Florida a day early, Sutter took part in the event and wore a Carolina jersey at Monday night's Hurricanes-Panthers game while watching son Brandon play.

Devils right winger Brian Gionta, who scored a league-record 83 goals in 96 games during his career with Boston College, was named Hockey East's top goal-scorer in conjunction with the league's 25th anniversary celebration.

"I just found out on the bus on the way here," Gionta said before Wednesday night's game against the Panthers at the BankAtlantic Center. "I'm honored, obviously. There are a lot of great players to come through there.

"For sure I'm surprised."

The Devils, who skated to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers at the Prudential Center on Nov. 20, look to extend their winning streak to five in a row. Three things to watch:

1. The Thanksgiving/Florida sunshine haze. Will the Devils be looking past this game, thinking about getting home for the holiday? Or are they too relaxed from a few days in the sun?

2. Brian Gionta's streak. He's scored goals in four straight games and looks to make it five. The line with Dainius Zubrus centering Patrik Elias and Gionta has been sensational of late.

3. No. 1 goalie? If Scott Clemmensen wins again, and plays well enough, does he become the team's No. 1 goalie? Coach Brent Sutter says no, but it will then become interesting to see which goalie plays Saturday night in Pittsburgh.

Scott Clemmensen will make his second straight start in goal for the Devils Wednesday night, giving him six starts in the last eight games.

"Why wouldn't we (start him)?" coach Brent Sutter asked after the team's Wednesday morning skate. "I thought about it the last couple of days. I talked to Jacques (Caron) and the coaches and Lou (Lamoriello)."

Right winger David Clarkson, hit in the foot with a shot during Tuesday's practice, said he is fine and will play.

Right winger David Clarkson, who was hit in the foot by a shot during Tuesday's practice, took part in the team's Wednesday morning skate and appeared to be fine.

No one was missing, including both goalies.

Kevin Weekes remained on the ice to face some extra shots, a sign that Scott Clemmensen will start in goal against the Florida Panthers.

When practice at the BankAtlantic Center ended early Tuesday afternoon and the Devils came off the ice, right winger David Clarkson was already sitting in the dressing room. He had taken a shot off the foot and left early.

AP PhotoWith dad Brent in the stands, Brandon Sutter took the ice for Carolina Monday vs. Florida.

Brent Sutter warned warned Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello ahead of time. With the Devils already in south Florida, he planned to attend the Panthers-Hurricanes game at the BankAtlantic Center Monday night to watch his son, Brandon, play for Carolina.

As I reported, John Madden will not be joining the Devils in south Florida for Wednesday night's game against the Panthers. The veteran center will remain home with a bruised ankle.

But GM Lou Lamoriello just told me that the injury is not at all serious and that Madden skated at the Prudential Center Tuesday morning.

"John Madden, if he had to, would play," Lamoriello said.

This is uncharted territory for the Devils since Martin Brodeur joined the team full time in 1993-94.

Brodeur, sidelined with a torn biceps tendon in his left arm, will miss his 12th game Saturday night in Pittsburgh. That will match the total games for which he did not dress during the 14 previous seasons.

By winning his third game Sunday in Tampa, Scott Clemmensen matched his NHL career high for wins in a season. He won three games for the Devils in 2003-04 and again in 2005-06. Clemmensen had never won three in a row before.

File PhotoBrian Gionta's dream concert? Metallica.

As a music collector and fan, I'd often rather talk to Devils players about Coldplay than the power play.

Bill Kostroun/Associated PressYou can't see Mike Mottau in this photo, but this was the end result of his hit on the Islanders' Frans Nielsen Friday night, for which Mottau was suspended two games.

NOTEBOOK

TAMPA -- Mike Mottau served the first of a two-game suspension for his high hit on Islanders forward Frans Nielsen Friday night. Coach Brent Sutter maintained Mottau's elbow to Nielsen's head was unintentional, but nevertheless said the league's decision to suspend the defenseman for two games was justified.

"I have no problem at all with the suspension that was handed down," Sutter said. "And that's not being disrespectful to my player at all."

Sutter's opinion is meaningful because his own son, Brandon, was hurt on a hit to the head from Doug Weight of the Islanders Oct. 25. Brandon Sutter suffered a concussion.

Mike Carlson/The Associated PressDainius Zubrus tied a Devils' franchise record with four goals in Sunday's 7-3 win over Tampa Bay, but he failed to cash in on two other great chances.

Since the Devils arrived in New Jersey in 1982, four goals have been scored in a game four times. Patrik Elias, who happens to be Zubrus' linemate, last did it March 30, 2003, against the Islanders.

A four-goal game was accomplished once before the team moved from Denver.

To borrow from the Buffalo Springfield song, "There's something happening here..."

After losing four straight Nov. 8-14 and depleted by injuries to key players, the Devils looked to be in trouble. But they have since turned it around and responded with a four-game winning streak.

They are still missing several top players (Martin Brodeur, Brian Rolston, etc.), but Sunday night's 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning came without center John Madden (bruised ankle) and defenseman Mike Mottau (two-game suspension) as well.

So what's going on?

Kim Klement/US PresswireDainius Zubrus beats Lightning goaltender Karri Ramo for one of his four goals in the Devils' 7-3 victory.

TAMPA, Fla. -- With John Madden sitting at home with a bruised ankle, Devils center Dainius Zubrus knew he would face the difficult challenge of trying to shut down the Tampa Bay Lightning's notoriously explosive top line.

However, sharing the task of stopping Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Vaclav Prospal wasn't the only issue on Zubrus' mind.

"Before the game we were joking around a little bit," Zubrus said of linemates Brian Gionta and Patrik Elias. "I hadn't scored for 10 games. I told Patrik and Brian we have to do something about it."

Done.