New Jersey Devils Limp Past Chicago Blackhawks

The injury-plagued Devils pulled of something that came as a surprise to many. A win.

A Brad Mills goal with 3:51 left to play and empty-net goals by Jamie Langenbrunner and Andy Greene  sealed the 5-3 victory against the defending champion Blackhawks. The game was the Devils' last of a dreadful road trip, which they finished 2-4-0.

The Devils pulled of the win despite missing Zach Parise, who will be out for three months after knee surgery, but that wasn't the only banged-up Devil. Martin Brodeur left the game in the second period after taking a Patrick Kane shot to his elbow. As of now, the Devils and Brodeur are calling the injury just a stinger and not a serious issue. Backup Johan Hedberg replaced Brodeur, winning his first game of the season.

The Devils took the lead early on goals from forwards Jason Arnott and Travis Zajac, but gave the goals back to Chicago later.

Defenseman Brian Campbell scored his first goal of the season at the 15:58 mark of the second period. Wednesday's game was only Campbell's second of the season after coming back from injury. The Hawks then tied the game soon after when Fernando Pisani cashed in on a Chicago power play. Pisani buried a rebound past Hedberg at the 3:42 mark of the third period to tie the game at two.

Mills' added the game-winning goal for the Devils, which was also his first in the NHL. Mills was called-up from Albany, and Wednesday night's game was his third-career game.

The Devils get back to action Friday night against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center. The Rangers are also coming off a win against Chicago and face the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night before coming to Jersey.