Elias looking to break a record, too

Patrik Elias' record-tying performance Saturday night in Montreal was overshadowed just a bit by Martin Brodeur's big night. That doesn't mean Elias would prefer not to break John MacLean's points record Tuesday night against Chicago if Brodeur also becomes the NHL's leader in wins in that game.

"I'd like to do it the next game," he said. "The sooner the better."

Elias had a goal and an assist Saturday to raise his career total to 701, equaling MacLean's Devils' total. MacLean, a current Devils assistant coach, played 934 games for the team. Elias has played 813.

"I've said before that it means that you're doing something right obviously and I've been here long enough," Elias said. "It will be special. No question about it. Hopefully, I have many, many more games in front of me."

Like Brodeur, Elias has enjoyed spending his entire career with the Devils.

"I never saw myself leaving," he said. "(Three) years ago, it was a situation where I had different options, but for a couple of reasons I stayed here and one of them was to have a chance to win. Since I've been here, this team has never missed the playoffs and that means a lot. That gives you a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup and that's what it's all about."

Devils coach Brent Sutter has been highly complimentary of Elias tying MacLean's record and wanted to be sure it was noted Saturday when Brodeur tied Patrick Roy in Montreal.

"The difference between both things is one's a franchise situation and the other thing is history, a league thing," Sutter said. "That's the difference between the two, but Patty's accomplishment is pretty phenomenal in itself. Obviously, it something about the career Johnny Mac had here and I think that goes unnoticed a little bit, too.

"Mac had  a pretty outstanding career here with the Devils, too."

***

Sutter said he like the way his new line combinations have worked the last two games. He mentioned that the Mike Rupp, John Madden, Bobby Holik had a particularly good game on Saturday and also has liked the Elias-Brian Rolston-Brian Gionta line combo and the Brendan Shanahan-Dainius Zubrus-David Clarkson line.

"Rollie is playing was well as he has all year right now," Sutter said.

Comments

[JJ]

I really hope these lines stick because it seems like this is what (or close to) Sutter wanted from the beginning of the season. Madden with the big boys is a nice change of pace with his speed and pestiness, Zubrus seems to be playing a tougher more simple game with Clarkson/Shanny & if Rolston lights fire it just makes a dangerous team that much more dangerous.

[TG]

Here's TSN's write-up on the Devils' top prospects. It doesn't rank them in comparison to the rest of the NHL teams, but it doesn't paint a rosy picture either.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=271461&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

[JohnnyB]

I want Elias to break the record with a goal! and yes I am digging the lines right now.

[Pearl Jammed]

nobody EVER paints a rosy picture about our prospects. But that doesn't mean that we don't have any good ones either. I like Halsichuk, Corennte, Eckford, and Tedenby to name a few, and i am sure there are others as well that may suprise us down the road.

[Falcone]

Thanks for posting the link TG. Halischuk will be a Zajac type player for us, minus the size. However after him, we're slim, which isn't ideal. That's why our team is older. Not enough young talent to replace the old guys yet.

Good for Patty. The team is really running on all cylinders right now. Hopefully that continues for the next 15 games and into the playoffs.

[arthur agostini]

JJ is right on the money. I really like these line combinations. I wanted to move Rolston up six weeks ago. He is clearly a top 6 forward. Elias/Gio were not getting enough points even strenth with Zubrus. Zubrus is not good enough to play with them. Now, we have two legit scoring lines. This was the original plan before Rolston got hurt anyway.

I too would like Patty to break the record with a goal. That would be perfect

[Pete]

I think Madden and Zubrus should swap but you gotta love those top two lines.

[Maxwell]

Anyone else catch Chico say he thinks Elias will get 1,000 points in his career? That'd be a good thing if he stays in NJ and gets it in the next 4 or 5 years.

[arthur agostini]

I'm with you Pete. I really don't think much of Zubrus. I'm more comfortable with the maddog too. Zubrus was a rare mistake by Lou. It was a terrible reaction to Gomez becoming a trader. I guess we are nit picking a little though. I'm really excited about what this team can do. Hope to see you all Tuesday night

[walt]

all zubie has to do is score one game winner and one o.t. goal in this year's play-offs and he'll have been worth signing 2 years ago

[TattoodDevilsfan]

off topic but Annsi Salmela scored his first NHL goal tonight against the CAPS! Congrats to him on sweet move and goal. Looking forward to seeing a sea of Red and white tomorrow at the Rock!