NEWARK, N.J. -- Travis Zajac scored the first of his career-best three goals just 12 seconds in, and the New Jersey Devils held on for a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Monday night after nearly blowing a three-goal lead
Zajac opened the barrage against Dan Ellis and then netted his second midway through New Jersey's three-goal first period. He completed his first NHL hat trick at 9:37 of the third.
Jaromir Jagr had a goal and three assists, and Ryane Clowe added a goal and two assists. Zajac also had an assist for the Devils, who are hoping a late-season rally can get them into the playoffs. New Jersey has seven games left.
Jacob Josefson scored the other Devils goal, and Cory Schneider stopped all 13 Florida shots he faced after replacing Martin Brodeur in the second period when New Jersey's lead was cut to 4-3.
Brodeur stopped only six of nine shots, but was credited with the win.
Dmitry Kulikov, Brad Boyes and Brandon Pirri scored for Florida, which lost for the sixth time in seven games. Ellis faced 32 shots, including 18 in the first period.
SENATORS 2, HURRICANES 1, SO
OTTAWA, Ontario -- Ales Hemsky scored the only goal of the shootout, and Ottawa edged Carolina.
Hemsky fired a shot off the post and into the net behind Cam Ward in the second round to give the Senators their third straight win and fourth in fifth games.
Craig Anderson stopped all three Carolina shooters, including Elias Lindholm with the final attempt, to earn the victory.
Mika Zibanejad scored in regulation for the Senators, and Anderson made 30 saves.
Jeff Skinner had the lone goal for Carolina, which got 28 saves from Ward before the shootout.