The New Jersey Devils lost 4-3 to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, to fall behind 2-1 in their opening 2012 NHL Playoff series in Game 3. Panthers goalie Jose Theodore was pulled just over six minutes into the game after giving up three goals on just six shots against to give the Devils a quick 3-0 lead. The Devils would not light the lamp again, however, giving up four straight goals in the first and second periods.
It was Martin Brodeur's turn to get the hook in the second period after he gave up a soft goal through the five-hole on a Mike Weaver shot that partially looked a pass.
Johan Hedberg came in, and played well after giving up a powerplay goal to Brian Campbell. Unfortunately, the Devils were out-of-sorts on the offensive end coming off a defensive collapse. They did pick things up somewhat in the third period, during which they outshot the Panthers nine to six. They had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the waning seconds of regulation with six skaters on the ice, but Zach Parise tipped the puck wide with an open net in front of him.
Parise, Stephen Gionta and Patrik Elias were the early goal scorers for New Jersey. The Panthers outshot the Devils 26 to 25 for the game.
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