The New Jersey Devils lead the Florida Panthers 3-2 after the first period of Game 3 on Tuesday night. Panthers goaltender Jose Theodore was pulled from the game after giving up three goals on just six shots in just over six minutes on the ice. Scott Clemmensen came in for the rest of the period, but faced just two shots the rest of the way.
Zach Parise put the Devils up 1-0 just 33 seconds into the game, scoring off a deflection in front of a well-screened goal. Stephen Gionta and Patrik Elias added goals three and six minutes later to put the Devils up 3-0 early, and seemingly on track for a route.
The Panthers picked up their defense after Theodore left, however, and were able to find some offensive rhythm. Sean Bergenheim put Florida on the board with a powerplay goal under four minutes to go to the second period. Just before the period break, Jason Garrison scored again for the Panthers with eight seconds to go in the period to put his team within one point, 3-2.
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