NHL: New Jersey 4, Colorado 0

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Martin Brodeur, playing for the first time in almost four months, recorded the 99th shutout of his career Thursday to give New Jersey a 4-0 win over Colorado.

Brodeur had not seen action since Nov. 1, when he tore a muscle in his left elbow during a game against Atlanta. He underwent surgery and put his climb up the NHL's all-time goaltender list on hold.

The 36-year-old Brodeur stopped 24 shots for his 545th career win. That is six shy of the NHL record held by Patrick Roy.

The 99 shutouts leave him four away from tying Terry Sawchuk's all-time league mark.

New Jersey, which won for the sixth time in eight games, opened the scoring 4:38 into the game on Jamie Langenbrunner's slap shot. Patrik Elias scored in the second period and Zach Parise and Travis Zajac added third-period goals.

Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes handled the goaltending chores during Brodeur's absence and kept the Devils in first place in the Atlantic Division.

Colorado has lost three in a row after a three-game winning streak.