National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Jersey 3, Florida 2
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Referees: Marc Joannette, Brian Pochmara
Linesmen: Scott Driscoll, Brad Kovachik
Attendance: 17625

DEVILS 3, PANTHERS 2 (OT):
Travis Zajac scored 5:39 into overtime as host New Jersey forced Game 7 in its Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with Florida.

Zajac broke in on the rush and fired between the legs of Scott Clemmensen to force a deciding game Thursday in Florida. Clemmensen, who made 39 saves, got the call in goal after Jose Theodore suffered an undisclosed injury during practice Monday.

The Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Steve Bernier and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Kris Versteeg answered with his eighth goal in 10 games versus New Jersey this season in the second period to cut the lead in half and Sean Bergenheim slipped a rebound through the five-hole of Martin Brodeur later in the frame to knot the contest at 2-2.

Brodeur made 14 saves for his 102nd career playoff victory.

GAME NOTEBOOK:
Panthers defensemen Jason Garrison (lower body) and Keaton Ellerby (lower body) didn’t play. … Florida only had 10 shots on goal after 40 minutes.
Top Game Performances
 
Florida   New Jersey
Sean Bergenheim 1 Points Ilya Kovalchuk 2
Sean Bergenheim 1 Goals Ilya Kovalchuk 1
Marcel Goc 1 Assists Ilya Kovalchuk 1
N/A Power Play Goals Ilya Kovalchuk 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Scott Clemmensen .929 Save Percentage Martin Brodeur .875
Scott Clemmensen 39 Saves Martin Brodeur 14
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Florida 16 2 0-1 3-4 8 28
New Jersey 42 3 1-4 1-1 2 30
Upcoming Games
  • New Jersey will play their next game on the road against Florida. The Devils have a W/L % of .604 after a win and .559 after a loss.
  • Florida will play their next game at home against New Jersey. The Panthers have a W/L % of .459 after a win and .467 after a loss.