New Jersey wins, stays atop East

Martin Brodeur made 40 saves, and Zach Parise scored with 48.3 seconds left to give the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night in Toronto.

Parise, who also scored Friday night in New Jersey’s 2-1 overtime win against Tampa Bay, has five goals in three games – all Devils victories.

He also scored twice in New Jersey’s 4-1 win at Toronto on Tuesday that snapped the Devils’ three-game skid. Brodeur stopped 141 of 147 shots during four victories over the Maple Leafs this season, including both this week.

New Jersey stayed one point ahead of Montreal atop the Eastern Conference.

Mats Sundin scored for the Maple Leafs, who fell eight points behind eighth-place Philadelphia and the playoff cutoff in the East.

Brodeur was at his best during the third period when the Devils weathered a frantic push for the tying goal.

Parise put New Jersey ahead 2-1 by shoveling the puck under Vesa Toskala after it looked as though the referee could have stopped play.

Brodeur made that winning goal possible by stopping the first 36 shots he faced. Sundin ripped No. 47 past him at 13:44 of the third period during a power play.

The Maple Leafs captain has points in eight straight games.

“Big win, big comeback from a late goal that they scored,” Brodeur said.

Avalanche 3, Stars 1: At Denver, Peter Forsberg posted his first two points since rejoining the Avalanche, Andrew Brunette had a goal and an assist, and Colorado won its sixth straight by beating stumbling Dallas.

Canadiens 5, Kings 2: At Los Angeles, Patrice Brisebois triggered a three-goal second period for Montreal, Jaroslav Halak made 35 saves in his first start of the season and the Canadiens beat Los Angeles.

Senators 4, Coyotes 2: At Glendale, Ariz., Mike Fisher had two goals and Ottawa snapped a three-game winless streak, adding to Phoenix’s home woes with a victory over the fading Coyotes.

Flyers 4, Islanders 1: At Philadelphia, Scott Hartnell scored two power-play goals, leading the Flyers to a victory over New York.

Panthers 3, Thrashers 2 (OT): At Sunrise, Fla., Nathan Horton scored a power-play goal 4:36 into overtime, giving the Panthers a victory over Atlanta.

Bruins 2, Capitals 1: At Boston, Marco Sturm scored the second of Boston’s two power-play goals in the closing 5:01 of the third period, lifting the Bruins to a win over Washington.

Hurricanes 4, Sabres 3 (OT): At Raleigh, N.C., Scott Walker deflected in a shot from Eric Staal in overtime and Carolina secured the victory over Buffalo.

Canucks 4, Blues 2: At Vancouver, British Columbia, Brad Isbister scored with 4:12 left in the third period to lift the Canucks to a come-from-behind victory over St. Louis.