(My Sportsbook) - John Madden's National Hockey League reputation has primarily been built as a defensive forward. Wednesday night, however, he proved that he can provide punch at the other end as well.

The former Selke winner notched his second career hat trick and added an assist, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center. Turner Stevenson also scored for the Devils, who won their fourth straight game and improved to 12-0-1-1 in their last 14.

Martin Brodeur, who was rested during Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Buffalo after his All-Star appearance this past weekend, made 27 saves for New Jersey. The Devils have surrendered just three goals in their last four games and have yielded more than two tallies just twice in their last 19 outings (15-2-1-1).

"It feels great," Madden said. "[Washington] had been playing real well. It was a good win for us."

The Devils spotted Washington a 1-0 lead, but tied it midway through the second period when Stevenson scored his fifth of the season. Madden worked the puck free behind the net and Jiri Bicek fired a pass from the right corner to the right circle, where Stevenson rifled a one-timer past Olaf Kolzig.

Madden then scored his first of the game with 3:13 remaining in the period to put New Jersey in front. Brian Rafalski intercepted a Jaromir Jagr pass in the neutral zone and raced into the Washington end on a 2-on-1 with Patrik Elias. Elias made a pass from the left circle to Rafalski, who had a shot stopped by Kolzig, but Madden was trailing the play and banged the rebound home.

The Devils made it 3-1 at 6:12 of the third when Madden beat Kolzig with a nifty backhander. Jay Pandolfo had the puck in the left circle and feathered a pass to the slot for an onrushing Madden, who beat his man and lifted a shot over Kolzig's glove for his 12th goal of the season.

Brodeur needed to make only six saves in the third period and Madden sealed it odeur needed to make only six saves in the third period and Madden sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minute.

BRYLIN OUT

Devils forward Sergei Brylin will miss two to three months of action after undergoing surgery on Thursday to repair a broken right wrist. Brylin suffered the injury in the first period of Wednesday's game when he was hit along the boards by teammate Colin White and the Capitals' Steve Konowalchuk.

UP NEXT

Jersey will host Atlanta on Friday, and Minnesota on Sunday afternoon.