NHL

• Elias' tally pushes Devils past Senators

  
  

  Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Patrik Elias' first goal of the season proved to be the game-winner, as the New Jersey Devils snapped Ottawa's season-high four-game win streak with a 3-1 victory.

  Elias, who missed more than a month to start the season while recovering from offseason groin surgery, tipped home an Andy Greene point shot with 1:26 left in the second period.

  "I knew it was going to take time just to get my game back and started playing the way I'm capable of. Hopefully this is a good sign," said Elias of finally breaking through for his first of the year. "In the last two games...I started to make plays and I feel like I'm more comfortable, getting more shots, getting more involved." Jamie Langenbrunner did the dirty work, digging the puck out of the corner to set up Greene's wrister before icing the game with an empty-net goal late in the third. Greene finished with two assists.

  Niclas Bergfors also scored while Martin Brodeur was solid with 24 saves for the Devils, who halted a three-game losing skid.

  Milan Michalek tallied the lone score for the Senators, who have lost eight straight to New Jersey.

  Brian Elliott manned the pipes for Ottawa and finished with 18 saves. Elliot will see the bulk of the work in net going forward after it was learned starter Pascal Leclaire will miss at least the next four weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

  The freak injury occurred when Leclaire took a puck to the face while on the bench during Monday's overtime win over Washington.

  New Jersey took the early lead after a dump-in took an odd hop off the boards and caromed out in front to Bergfors, who slipped the disc past Elliot at 7:58 of the first.

  "Obviously you want the win, but I felt like I was controlling pucks well, reading plays well, and the guys blocked a lot of shots in front," said Elliot. "I think we just need a couple good scoring chances. Once they get the lead, it's hard to get anything on them." Michalek tied it for Ottawa 4 1/2 minutes later, redirecting a Jesse Winchester shot from above the left circle between the legs of Brodeur.

  Brodeur allowed the Devils' 2-1 edge to hold up with 12 third-period saves, and Langenbrunner put the finishing touches on a disciplined win as New Jersey denied the Senators a single power-play opportunity.

  Game Notes Ottawa was without forward Mike Fisher for the first time this season due to an upper-body injury incurred during Monday's game...New Jersey's Zach Parise had an assist to extend his points streak to eight games...The Devils have won five straight at home while Ottawa has dropped three straight road games...The Sens have also lost four straight and six of seven as the visitor in this series...New Jersey plays at Boston Friday while Ottawa hosts Columbus Thursday.

  11/26 01:56:32 ET