PANTHERS 3, DEVILS 0: Kris Versteeg had a power-play goal and an assist and Jose Theodore stopped all 30 shots he faced as host Florida blanked New Jersey to seize a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Theodore, who was pulled after allowing three goals on six shots in Game 3, was unbeatable in Game 5 to earn his second career playoff shutout.

Florida will attempt to close out the series in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Versteeg opened the scoring after taking a quick cross-ice pass from Stephen Weiss before ripping a shot over Martin Brodeur in the second period. The goal was Florida's seventh with the man advantage in the series.

Scottie Upshall doubled the lead at 13:17 of the third period when Brodeur got caught out of his net trying to play the puck. Versteeg beat the four-time Vezina Trophy winner to a loose puck and centered to Upshall, who deposited his first goal of the series into the empty net.

Tomas Kopecky added a shorthanded empty-net goal with 34 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Panthers defenseman Jason Garrison (lower body) didn't play. ... A team has taken a 3-0 lead in every game of the series. ... The Devils went 0-for-3 on the power play.