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Devils may be down but they're not out

Donald Brashear, front, of the Flyers crashes into Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur during second period action at the Continental Airlines arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Monday. Brashear was called for interference. The Flyers lead the best of seven series 2-0. PHOTO: EPA

Don't count out the defending champion New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Nor anyone else, for that matter.

The Devils got two goals from Patrik Elias and three assists by Scott Gomez in beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on Monday night. It was New Jersey's first win in the opening-round matchup, putting the series at 2-1 -- just like all seven other series.

New Jersey looked much better in Game 3, its first home game, than in the two losses in Philadelphia. The power play woke up after going 0-for-7, with three goals in five extra-man opportunities.

Elias, easily the Devils' most dangerous scorer, was the sparkplug, tying the game early in the second period, then putting New Jersey ahead for good later in the period.

"He has had a great year and that whole line has helped this team a lot, carried this team at times," Devils captain Scott Niedermayer said of Elias, Gomez and Brian Gionta, who had a third-period goal. "Today, they really stepped up. We needed some goals and needed to get the power play going, and they did it for us."

Ed Belfour, left, of the Maple Leafs, makes a save in front of Radek Bonk of the Senators during the first period of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in Ottawa, Monday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Martin Brodeur made 23 saves and rookie defenseman Paul Martin also connected for New Jersey. Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte scored for the Flyers, who twice blew one-goal leads.

"I think we're still real confident here," Roenick said. "We're up 2-1 and they got three goals on the power play, which was disappointing. Our penalty killing has been really good, and if we play five-on-five, we have a really good chance."

"We needed some goals and needed to get the power play going, and they did it for us."

Scott Niedermayer, captain of the Devils

In other Game 3s on Monday night, Toronto took a 2-1 edge against Ottawa with a 2-0 road victory; Tampa Bay went up on the New York Islanders 2-1 with a 3-0 win; Dallas crept within 2-1 by beating Colorado 4-3 in overtime; and St. Louis got its first victory against San Jose, 4-1 behind Mike Sillinger's hat trick.

The Blues and Sharks play against Tuesday night in St. Louis, and the other three series resume. Boston, leading 2-1, is at Montreal; Detroit, up 2-1, is at Nashville; and Vancouver, ahead 2-1, is at Calgary.

Maple Leafs 2, Senators 0

At Ottawa, Ed Belfour made 35 saves for his second straight shutout. Belfour has held Ottawa scoreless for 138:21. He made 31 saves in Saturday's 2-0 win.

Belfour, who turns 39 on April 21, got his 84th career playoff win to keep pace with Brodeur for the lead among active goalies. It was his 13th career playoff shutout, moving him past Dominik Hasek into second place among active goalies behind Brodeur's 20.

Joe Nieuwendyk scored early in the second period and Mats Sundin added a goal on a two-on-one rush in the third.

Lightning 3, Islanders 0

At Uniondale, New York, Nikolai Khabibulin made 28 saves, while Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis scored early. St. Louis added an empty-net goal with 10 seconds remaining.

All three games have ended 3-0.

Khabibulin got his third career playoff shutout. He was spectacular in the final minute of the second period, turning aside a wave of dangerous shots, including two by Mariusz Czerkawski and a slapper by Kenny Jonsson within seconds of each other.

"With Khabi, the way he's playing, it gives us a cushion," said Richards, who had his first career playoff goal and two assists.

Stars 4, Avalanche 3, OT

At Dallas, Steve Ott stole the puck in center ice and broke in to score 2:11 into overtime. The Stars tied the game when Philippe Boucher sent a long shot past Colorado goaltender David Aebischer with 4:27 left in regulation.

Ott blocked a neutral-zone pass from Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote and took off. Foote couldn't catch him, and Ott beat Aebischer.

Jason Arnott and Scott Young also scored for Dallas. Milan Hejduk, Riku Hahl and Steve Konowalchuk had Colorado's goals.

Blues 4, Sharks 1

At St. Louis, Sillinger got his first playoff hat trick and Dallas Drake had a goal and an assist.

Sillinger, acquired March 4 from Phoenix and playing for a record-tying 10th NHL team, provided a boost for the Blues down the stretch, and now again in the playoffs.

"I remember a couple of years ago I was in the playoffs with Ottawa and we lost our first two home games and we went to Toronto and guys were tippy-toeing around," Sillinger said.

"Now, we lose our first two games at San Jose and we come home and the music is going and guys are confident.

"This is a team that believes in itself."

Chris Osgood made 17 saves and lost his shutout when Jonathan Cheechoo scored his first playoff goal early in the third period.
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