The New Jersey Devils lead the Florida Panthers, 1-0, after one period in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series at the Prudential Center.
Steve Bernier gave New Jersey the lead, scoring at the 16:37 mark to open the scoring. Bernier found a loose puck near the side wall, and fired a shot toward the crease. The puck went through the legs of Scott Clemmensen, who kicked the puck into the back of the net.
The score was Bernier's second of the postseason.
New Jersey outshot Florida, 13-6, during the opening period. At one point, the Devils recorded 11 of 12 shots, but a late flurry of opportunities by the Panthers shrunk the deficit. Martin Brodeur was perfect, stopping all 13 shots.
The Devils, who have lost five consecutive elimination games, can force Game 7 on Thursday night with a win.
Clemmensen, the former Devil, was in net for the Panthers' 4-0 loss in Game 4. Jose Theodore, who posted his second career playoff shutout in Game 5, is out with an injury.