EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., March 30 (UPI) -- Martin Brodeur made 29 saves and tied Jacques Plante for fourth place all-time in wins by a goalie as the New Jersey Devils beat Buffalo, 3-1.
Brodeur won his 437th game as an NHL goalie. Brian Gionta, John Madden and Zach Parise scored goals for the Devils, who have won two straight and three of their last four games.
The Devils retain possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 83 points. They are tied with Tampa Bay and Montreal -- but with three fewer wins than Tampa Bay, New Jersey sits one spot below the Lightning in the playoff race.
Tim Connolly scored the only goal and Martin Biron made 25 saves for the Sabres, who have dropped seven of their last eight games. Buffalo has 96 points and holds a six-point lead over the Philadelphia Flyers for the fourth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo forward Daniel Briere was suspended for two games before the contest with New Jersey, for striking Bruins defenseman Brian Leetch with a highstick during the Sabres' 4-3 win over Boston Wednesday.
