COLUMBUS - The New Jersey Devils never lose track of one important fact.
It's not the finish that counts
coach Pat Burns said. It's the final score.
Grant Marshall scored in his first game against his former team and Patrik Elias added a goal and an assist in the Devils' 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets yesterday night.
Marshall spent almost two full years with the Blue Jackets before being traded to the Devils late last season for a draft pick.
It's just clicking right now Marshall said. We're doing a lot of good things. We're working hard which is the biggest thing. And we're getting the puck to the points and the open areas. We're all working well together.
Sergei Brylin added a goal, and Martin Brodeur stopped 28 shots as New Jersey won its third in a row. Brian Gionta also scored, into an empty net.
Rick Nash scored his NHL-leading 31st goal for the Blue Jackets, who traded top defenseman Darryl Sydor to Tampa Bay earlier Tuesday for center Alexander Svitov.
Nash added an assist.
Brad Moran, called up from the minors earlier in the day, had the first goal and first assist of his NHL career.
Tyler Wright also scored for Columbus, which fell to 3-1-1 at home under interim coach Gerard Gallant.
The Blue Jackets preferred to discuss their comeback rather than an early deficit.
For two periods we competed real hard and played even up with those guys
Columbus interim coach Gerard Gallant said. We just let it get away in the first period.
The Devils led 3-0 after the first 20 minutes.
It was the first time that they've scored three goals in a period since Dec. 19 at Buffalo.
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