Brodeur's career shutout record reaches 114
NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Martin Brodeur extended his NHL career shutout record to 114 Thursday, making 23 saves in carrying the New Jersey Devils to a 2-0 blanking of Pittsburgh.
Following a stretch in which the Devils lost 14 times in 16 games, they have picked up victories in four of their last five.
Pittsburgh had won its previous three contests and continued to play without star center Sidney Crosby, who missed his seventh straight game since suffering a concussion. The Penguins are 3-3-1 in the stretch without Crosby.
New Jersey scored twice during the first half of the opening period and then relied on the goaltender with the most wins in NHL history.
Brian Rolston scored on a slap shot 1:22 into the game and Nick Palmieri added a tally at 9:51 of the first.
It was the fourth shutout of the season for Brodeur, who has 611 regular-season victories in his 18-year career. He also has won 99 times in the playoffs.
Brent Johnson took the loss, stopping 18-of-20 shots.
Weekley, Vegas share Hope Classic lead
LA QUINTA, Calif., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Boo Weekley and rookie Jhonattan Vegas shared the lead Thursday after two-rounds of the five-day Bob Hope Classic.
Weekley, seeking his first victory in three years, shot a 6-under 66 and Vegas, a native of Venezuela and a graduate of the University of Texas, had a 67. They both played at the PGA West Nicklaus Course, one of four layouts used in this pro-am tournament.
Vegas made his debut as a PGA Tour member last week at the Sony Open in Honolulu and survived the cut, finishing in a tie for 57th place.
The co-leaders stood at 13-under 131 in a tournament renowned for producing low scores.
Tied for third at 132 were Charles Howell III, who had a 66 at the PGA West Palmer Course, and Chris Couch, who turned in a 65 at SilverRock Resort.
David Duval, who won this tournament 12 years ago by firing a 59 in the closing round, was among those tied for 13th at 135.
O'Neal to sit out 4 weeks for rehab
BOSTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Boston will be without veteran forward Jermaine O'Neal for the next four weeks while he undergoes rehab for an injured left knee, the team said.
O'Neal, 32, chose not to get surgery.
"We had a discussion at halftime, Jermaine, and myself, and our medical staff, and have decided that we are not doing surgery," Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge said after the Celtics' win over Detroit Wednesday.
O'Neal has played in only 17 games this season because of the injury.
He is coming off a 70-game season with the Heat, where he averaged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Cassel to fill in for Brady at Pro Bowl
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel will go to the Pro Bowl, filling in for injured Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, officials said.
Brady will miss the Jan. 30 game in Honolulu because of surgery to repair a foot injury.
Cassel has just completed his second year as the Chiefs' quarterback, but replaced an injured Brady as the Patriots quarterback early in the 2008 season.
In 2010, he started 15 games, threw for 3,116 yards and a career-high 27 touchdowns, with just seven interceptions to lead the Chiefs to the AFC West title.
Cassel is set to join teammates Brian Waters, Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe in Hawaii.
Trent Green was the last Chiefs quarterback selected for the Pro Bowl, in 2005.
