NEWARK, NJ – A little over six minutes into the game, it looked like the New Jersey Devils would blow the Florida Panthers right out of the arena. But the Panthers roared all the way back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 and take a 2-1 advantage in the series. The last time the Devils lost a playoff game after leading 3-0 was in 1988.
“This has been a very unique series,” Florida Head Coach Kevin Dineen said. “One team seems to come out like gangbusters and then things settle down.”
Backed by a raucous home crowd, the Devils came out of the gate hard, scoring three goals on their first six shots, sending Panther goaltender Jose Theodore to the bench. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to the Panthers as backup goalie Scott Clemmensen came in and stopped all 19 shots he faced for the win.
The Devils scored just 33 seconds into the game when Zach Parise beat Theodore. Stephen Gionta scored three minutes later, followed by a Patrik Elias power play goal and it looked like the rout was on.
Clemmensen settled things down for Florida, however and the Devils committed a couple of bad penalties to let the Panthers right back in the game.
Sean Bergenheim wristed a power play goal past Martin Brodeur at 16:11, followed by a Jason Garrison power play goal with just eight seconds left in the period, narrowing the deficit to 3-2.
New Jersey ultimately won more face-offs than Florida (28-25), but their inability to win face-offs in their defensive zone, especially on special teams, sealed their fate. The Devils had the best penalty kill in the regular season, but have given up six power play goals in ten tries in this series.
“Special teams have been good for us,” Dineen said. “Especially our penalty kill in the third period.”
Florida continued to pressure the Devils in the second period, scoring a quick goal at 2:18 and chasing Brodeur for Johan Hedberg, leaving the fate of the game in the hands of the backup goaltenders.
“We’ve got to learn how to play (with a big lead),” New Jersey Head Coach Peter Deboer said. “We have to watch our penalties. The power play has been the difference so far in the series.”
Both backups played well, but Florida scored the game-winning power play goal when Brian Campbell netted his first road goal of the year at 6:34.
New Jersey had a potential game-tying goal overruled near the end of the second period when the officials called them for interfering with goaltender. The Devils also missed a wide open net in the final few seconds of the third period while they had the extra man.
Game four will be played in New Jersey on Thursday.
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com
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