Devils Tie Series Against Panthers

The Florida Panthers looked to sweep their second straight game in New Jersey, but they were upended by the Devils 4-0 on Thursday night at the Prudential Center in Newark. Martin Brodeur of the Devils collected his 24th career playoff shutout, most in NHL history. The best-of-seven series is now even at 2-2 with game five on Saturday night in Sunrise. Scott Clemmensen was in net for Florida for his first career playoff start. Panthers coach Kevin Dineen implemented Keaton Ellerby on defense just prior to the game for Jason Garrison who had suffered an leg injury. New Jersey had several good shots on net in the first five minutes of the first period. Florida almost scored on their first power play when Sean Bergenheim hit the left post on a backhand from the left of the crease area at 7:10. Neither team was able to score in the first. New Jersey got the first goal for the third time in four games on the power play early in the second period. Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias passed the puck between each other at the top of the zone. Zidlicky took a slap shot that was deflected by Zack Parise in the top of the crease at 6:08. New Jersey almost added another goal at 12:55, however Stephen Gionta missed an open net from the slot on a two-on-one breakaway. Early in the third period, Florida gave up two goals in just 1:33. At 2:02 of the third period, the Devils took a 2-0 lead on a goal by Steve Bernier. Later, David Clarkson rushed through the Panthers zone by going around the cage and into the right corner. He sent a backhand pass to the high slot area where Travis Zajac blasted a one-time slap shot by Clemmensen at 3:35. Erik Gudbranson was called for boarding Adam Henrique at 6:39. New Jersey extended the lead to 4-0 near the end of the power play as Ilya Kovalchuk rocketed a slap shot from the left face-off circle at 8:32. For the third time in franchise history, the Florida Panthers are guaranteed to play a game six in the playoffs next Tuesday. Back in 1996, Florida played a six-game series against the Philadephia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and a seven-game series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals.