DEVILS 3, PANTHERS 2 (OT): Travis Zajac scored 5:39 into overtime as host New Jersey forced Game 7 in its Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with Florida.

Zajac broke in on the rush and fired between the legs of Scott Clemmensen to force a deciding game Thursday in Florida. Clemmensen, who made 39 saves, got the call in goal after Jose Theodore suffered an undisclosed injury during practice Monday.

The Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Steve Bernier and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Kris Versteeg answered with his eighth goal in 10 games versus New Jersey this season in the second period to cut the lead in half and Sean Bergenheim slipped a rebound through the five-hole of Martin Brodeur later in the frame to knot the contest at 2-2.

Brodeur made 14 saves for his 102nd career playoff victory.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Panthers defensemen Jason Garrison (lower body) and Keaton Ellerby (lower body) didn’t play. … Florida only had 10 shots on goal after 40 minutes.