Exactly one year after being named coach of the New Jersey Devils, Larry Robinson could not have his team playing any better. John Vanbiesbrouck made 23 saves for his 40th career shutout as the Devils extended their winning streak to 13 games with a 4-0 blanking of the Vancouver Canucks. The 13-game run matches the fourth longest in NHL history and is four off the record set by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1993. The Devils host Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Nobody mentions it.
The Philadelphia Flyers were the last team to win 13 in a row, a feat they accomplished from October 19-November 17, 1985. The Boston Bruins also won 13 straight from February 23-March 20, 1971. Guided by Robinsion, the Devils went on to win their second Stanley Cup last season and seem poised to make another run this year. Patrik Elias scored twice and helped set up another goal for the Devils, who have moved to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, two points ahead of Ottawa. Acquired from the New York Islanders on March 12, Vanbiesbrouck was rarely tested and improved to 2-0 with his new club.