After 40 minutes in Newark, the New Jersey Devils lead the Florida Panthers 1-0 in Game 4 of their first round series. Both goaltenders have looked solid so far, coming on the heels of both starters getting pulled in Game 3. The Devils, however, converted their first power play chance to take the lead.
The Devils ended the Scott Clemmensen shutout just over six minutes into the second period, as Zach Parise scored his second goal of the series. The Devils were on the power play after a Keaton Ellerby high-sticking penalty, and the scoring sequence started with nice hit by Parise in the corner to keep the puck in the zone. Marek Zidlicky fired a shot from out top in the center of the ice, and Travis Zajac and Parise were camped out in front. Both ended up deflecting the shot but Parise's deflection was a nice little chip that popped the puck up and over the left shoulder of Clemmensen. It was the one way New Jersey broke the red-hot Panthers' netminder, who's looked good again in Game 4.
Of concern for the Cats, Ellerby limped off the ice after he was ridden into the the boards by Stephen Gionta as the Devils opened the bench door to the ice. Ellerby's knee slammed against the open angle, and he went to the dressing room with a significant limp, which forced the Cats to play with 5 defensemen.
For more on the two teams, head over to Florida Panthers blog Litter Box Cats and New Jersey Devils blog In Lou We Trust. You can find more on every NHL Playoffs series over at SB Nation's NHL hub.