BUFFALO, N.Y., April 6 (UPI) -- Patrik Elias scored his 28th goal late in the second period Sunday as New Jersey rallied for a 2-2 tie with Buffalo in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Elias backup Corey Schwab made 28 saves for the Devils, who clinched the Atlantic Division title and the second seed in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Friday. They picked up a point for the 11th straight game (7
3-1), pushing their total to 108. They will face the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs.
New Jersey (46-20-10-6) recorded a 21-9-7-4 mark on the road and improved to 9-10-2 in its last 20 season closers.
All-Star goaltender Martin Brodeur, center Joe Nieuwendyk, and defensemen Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer did not make the trip, but the Devils extended their unbeaten streak against the Sabres to six games (4
2).
Rookie Ales Kotalik scored his 21st goal, and defenseman Alexei Zhitnik added his third for Buffalo, which finished a tumultuous season at 27-37-10-8.
The Sabres filed for bankruptcy in January, and will be sold to billionaire Tom Golisano. They looked back to the future in this one by donning their old blue and gold uniforms for the first time in seven years.
