EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Scott Gomez and Eric Rasmussen had two goals apiece, Martin Brodeur got his 75th shutout, and the New Jersey Devils tied Philadelphia for the lead in the Atlantic Division with a 5-0 victory Tuesday night over the New York Rangers.
The Devils' Pat Burns got his 500th win, becoming the ninth coach to reach that level. He's 500-366-151. The 500 wins ties him with Hall of Famer Toe Blake.
Igor Larionov also scored, and Brodeur made 24 saves for the Devils, who have 98 points with two games to go. The idle Flyers also have 98 points but have three games remaining.
BRUINS 3, HURRICANES 2: At Raleigh, N.C., Sergei Samsonov scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, and Boston moved into sole possession of first place in the Northeast Division. Joe Thornton and Martin Lapointe also had goals, and Felix Potvin made 21 saves for the Bruins, who have 101 points after going 9-2-1 in their last 12 games. Ryan Bayda and Josef Vasicek scored for Carolina.
CAPITALS 4, PENGUINS 2: At Washington, Trent Whitfield had two goals and an assist to help goalie Matt Yeats earn his first NHL victory, and Washington avoided falling into the league's cellar. Washington's Jeff Halpern had a goal and two assists — tying a career high with three points — and Alexander Semin also scored for the Capitals.
Washington snapped a three-game losing streak with the win that gave it 57 points. Pittsburgh, which got goals from Dick Tarnstrom and Ric Jackman, has 54 points.
PREDATORS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2: At Nashville, Vladimir Orszagh, Martin Erat and David Legwand each had a goal and an assist, and Nashville beat Chicago to keep alive the Predators' bid for the franchise's first playoff berth. The victory pushed Nashville back into the eighth spot in the Western Conference after Edmonton's 1-0 loss to St. Louis.
BLUES 1, OILERS 0: At St. Louis, Doug Weight scored his first goal in 18 games and Chris Osgood got his 41st career shutout to brighten the playoff hopes of the St. Louis,
which won its fourth straight game to remain in seventh place in the Western Conference.