a6dd84b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRDapproved/thenational/Articles/Migration/2010-02Devils prove too good for Predators96dd84b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____The Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey Devils ended a run of three defeats with a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday in the National Hockey League.<p>The Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey Devils ended a run of three defeats with a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday in the National Hockey League. Ilya Kovalchuk scored what turned out to be the game-winner at 8:24 in the third period for his first goal as a New Jersey player in his fifth game with the Devils since his trade from Atlanta last week.</p> <p>"It's nice when the fans are behind you. Scoring that first goal is good," the Russian said. "Next time I'll get a hat-trick." Jamie Langenbrunner had a goal and two assists while Travis Zajac, Patrik Elias and Zach Parise all had a goal and an assist. "Our top guys were better than their top guys," said Jacques Lemaire, the Devils coach. "They pretty much all scored." <br></p> <p>The Carolina Hurricanes have traded Matt Cullen to Ottawa for Alexandre Picard and the Senators' second-round pick in the 2010 NHL draft. Cullen, the 32-year-old centre, ranks fourth among Carolina scorers this season with 40 points. He is tied for second with 28 assists and has played in all 60 games. A member of the Hurricanes's 2006 Stanley Cup-winning team, Cullen has 165 career goals with 288 assists in 12 NHL seasons with Anaheim, Florida, the New York Rangers and Carolina.</p> <p>Picard, 24, has recorded four goals and 11 assists in 45 games with the Senators this season, his fifth in the NHL. "Alexandre is a good, young defenceman who should become a regular part of the Hurricanes's blue line," said Jim Rutherford, the Carolina general manager.</p> 80YYSPORT2010021400000020100214000000100ARhttp://adedit.ad.atl.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100214/SPORT/70213985607021398562010021410000000021119f61cf203b2258210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____96dd84b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____2ac284b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRDc41cf203b2258210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____96dd84b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____a2b384b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRDdecc244c72258210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____96dd84b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____2403909331158210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRD