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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – The Ottawa Senators use the New
Jersey Devils as a measuring stick. Based on this season, they
measure up well with the Stanley Cup champions.
Martin Havlat and Marian Hossa scored first-period goals
Wednesday night to pace the Senators to 3-2 victory over the Devils
in a showdown for the top spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference.
|  | | Petr Sykora, left, scored for the Devils but it wasn't enough to get past Karel Rachunek and the Senators. |
Both teams entered with 70 points although Ottawa held an edge
by virtue of more wins, 30-28.
The win also kept the Senators unbeaten in three meetings with
Devils at 2-0-1.
"It was a big game for us," said Shane Hnidy, who also scored
for the Senators. "Everybody looks at New Jersey as the Stanley
Cup champions and a top team in the league for years now.
"Ottawa really hasn't had playoff success. It's big for us to
come in against a team that has had a lot of success. It was a big
challenge for the team and tonight we came out and competed hard."
The Devils took a more long-range outlook, knowing that the
playoffs count far more than the regular season.
"Not beating them all season doesn't mean anything, not when
the playoffs come around," defenseman Scott Stevens said.
Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora tallied for New Jersey, which
stretched its winless streak to four (0-2-2).
Ottawa scored early and late in the opening period to build the
2-0 lead.
Havlat opened the scoring 38 seconds in as he worked a
give-and-go with Karel Rachunek. Havlat took the return feed and
drilled a shot from the slot past Martin Brodeur.
Hossa got the second goal with 14 seconds remaining as he
knocked home his own rebound.
"Those were key goals," Hossa said. "We scored right away and
everybody was pumped up. Then we got the goal on the last shift. It
was a big goal for us to go into the dressing room with a two-goal
lead."
The teams exchanged goals in the second period as Ottawa took a
3-1 advantage.
Hnidy scored the third straight Ottawa goal at 2:12 with help
from a double deflection off two Devils. Hnidy fired a shot from
behind the Devils goal that glanced off Alexander Mogilny, and
Brodeur's left toe on its way into the net.
The Devils benefited from an Ottawa deflection on Elias' goal
at 8:57. Elias took a wrister from the right circle that deflected
past Patrick Lalime.
Sykora got the only goal of the third period, scoring with 20.2
seconds remaining, but the Devils could not get even in the closing
seconds.
Game notes
C Jason Arnott returned to the Devils lineup after missing
one game with a shoulder injury. He was reunited with linemates Sykora and Elias. ... Devils captain Scott Stevens
continues to move up the list of career games played. Stevens
appeared in his 1,409th contest, tying him for 13th place with Paul
Coffey. Norm Ullman is next with 1,410. ... The Senators are
unbeaten in three games this season with New Jersey (2-0-1).
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Ottawa Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
Detroit 4
Carolina 3
Florida 4
Phoenix 3
Ottawa 3
New Jersey 2
Philadelphia 3
NY Islanders 1
Pittsburgh 2
Minnesota 1
Columbus 2
Toronto 2
San Jose 7
Chicago 0
Dallas 4
Los Angeles 2
Washington 4
Vancouver 3
Edmonton 3
Anaheim 3
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Martin Brodeur stops Shane Hnidy twice, but kicks the third shot into his own net.
avi: 524 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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