SUNRISE, Fla – After a long layoff for both teams, the Devils stormed out to a first period 3-0 lead, and then had to hold on for dear life to get the win.
It was all Devils in the first period, who used a tenacious fore-check, and pounded Panthers’ goalie Jose Theodore with 26 shots. All three goals were scored within a 15 minute span. Patrick Elias opened the scoring with a wrist shot that beat Theodore at 6:31. Danius Zubrus and Bryce Salvador assisted.
The Devils extended their lead when Zubrus scored on a power play snap shot at 14:11. David Clarkson and NJ goaltender Martin Brodeur got the helpers.
Just 45 seconds later, Ryan Carter beat Theodore for an unassisted goal and the 3-0 lead.
Florida, who is making their first playoff appearance in a dozen years, stormed back in the second period with two of their own goals.
Sean Bergenheim put a wrister past Brodeur at 7:44 with assists from Marcel Goc and Mikael Samuelsson to narrow the lead to 3-1. Kris Versteeg brought the Panthers to within one with their only power play goal of the game. Samuelsson got his second assist. Tomas Fleischmann also assisted.
Neither team could mount much offense in the third period. Most of the play took place in the neutral zone and only a great save by Theodore on a late two-on-one kept the game and final score at 3-2.
The series continues in Florida on Sunday.
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com
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