Devils 2, Blackhawks 1 (SO)
DEVILS 2, BLACKHAWKS 1 (SO): Travis Zajac scored the decisive goal in the fifth round of the shootout as New Jersey edged visiting Chicago for only its second win in six games.
Petr Sykora scored in regulation and Martin Brodeur made 37 saves for the Devils, who climbed within four points of idle Philadelphia for fifth in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey also moved four points ahead of seventh-place Ottawa.
Playing in only his second game following an Achilles tendon injury, Zajac beat Corey Crawford high to the glove side to give the Devils the advantage. Rookie Andrew Shaw hit the left post on Chicago's ensuing attempt, ending the contest.
New Jersey cashed in on its first power-play opportunity of the game late in the first period to take the lead.
With Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook serving a hooking penalty, rookie Adam Henrique made a pass from the top of the right faceoff circle that Sykora redirected past Crawford from alone in front with 4:18 remaining for his 18th goal.
Seabrook atoned for his mistake 8 1/2 minutes into the third when he blasted the puck past a screened Brodeur to knot the contest.
Crawford stopped 21 shots for the Blackhawks, who are six points ahead of Dallas and Phoenix for sixth in the West.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Chicago's 24th-ranked power play was no match for the league's top penalty-killing team as New Jersey successfully extinguished all four of the Blackhawks' man advantages, including a 5 on 3 that lasted 68 seconds. ... Sykora has three goals in his last six contests following a 10-game drought. ... The Devils have scored three goals or less in each of their last eight games. ... Chicago has lost eight of its last nine visits to New Jersey.