The Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils are tied, 1-1, after two periods in the game tonight at the Prudential Center.
New Jersey outshot the Sens, 16-4, in the period. They hold a 25-6 advantage in overall shots.
Rookie right-winger Nick Palmieri put the Devils ahead, 1-0, 35 seconds into the second period. Andy Greene fired a shot from the point that deflected to Palmieri. The right-winger's first shot was blocked by Robin Lehner, but he put the rebound up over the pads for his fourth goal of the season.
Palmieri has been one of the hotter forwards, recording three goals in his past five games.
Patrik Elias almos extended the lead to 2-0 at 2:35 of the period. Vladimir Zharkov and Elias broke into the Devils' zone on a 2-on-1, and Elias' shot attempt rang off the post.
Alexei Kovalev tied the game, 1-1, with a powerplay goal at 5:09 of the period. With both Brian Rolston and Dainius Zubrus in the box, Kovalev moved to the front of the net. Daniel Alfredsson threw a cross-ice pass to the right-winger, who tapped in the puck for his ninth goal of the season.
The Devils had been a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty kill before the goal.
Lehner continued to deny the Devils a lead throughout the period. His right-pad stop on Tim Sestito's in-close attempt at 11:57 kept the score tied. He then dove across the crease to deny Rod Pelley's one-timer from the slot, keeping the puck between the pads.