Florida Panthers come from three down to win in the NHL play-offs

New Jeresy Devils unable to build on a good start as they fall behind in the series, while Nashville Predators also win.

The Florida Panthers, in white, beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3.

The Florida Panthers clawed back from a 3-0 first-period deficit to beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 and seize a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven NHL first-round play-off series.

The Devils delighted the packed Prudential Center crowd of 17,000 with goals from Zach Parise, Stephen Gionta and Patrik Elias within the first 6:16 of the game, but Florida refused to yield and used the powerplay to take the series lead.

Another visiting NHL team also had cause to smile as the Nashville Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven, with a chance to clinch at home when the series resumes on Friday.

Florida fought their way back by scoring twice on the powerplay in the last four minutes of the opening period, drawing within 3-2 when Jason Garrison beat Devils goalie Martin Brodeur with a blast from just inside the blue line with eight seconds left.

The Panthers pounced again in the second period with Mike Weaver scoring on a deflection past Brodeur after 2:18 to tie the game and send the NHL's record holder for goalie wins to the bench in favor of Johan Hedberg.

The switch did not slow the Panthers down as they made it three-for-three on the power play when Brian Campbell scored past Hedberg to give Florida a 4-3 lead.

"We've been burned in two games by taking penalties," Devils' coach Peter DeBoer lamented. "Their powerplay has been the difference."

The Panthers also scored two powerplay goals in their 4-2 win at home on Sunday.

Florida back-up goalie Scott Clemmensen, who replaced Jose Theodore after the three quick Devils' goals, ensured his team held the lead, stopping all 19 shots he faced.

"Down by three goals or up by three goals, we keep playing. We play to the buzzer regardless of what happens," said Clemmensen.

"The momentum swings in this series have been drastic. It teaches you a lot about unity and perseverance."

Brodeur said he was surprised to be removed from the game.

"I think we got a little over-excited about having a three-goal lead and got a little undisciplined," said Brodeur, who was last pulled from a game six years ago.

"You don't expect when you're not losing the game yet to get pulled."

New Jersey thought they had equalised at 4-4 in the waning moments of the second period off a shot by Marek Zidlicky but the referee ruled that Devils right winger Steve Bernier had unintentionally interfered with Clemmensen and disallowed the goal.

Game Four will be played in New Jersey tomorrow.

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