Brodeur wins No. 100 as Devils beat Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Martin Brodeur stopped 24 shots for his 100th post-season win, and a three-goal first period was enough to help the New Jersey Devils spoil the Florida Panthers’ long-awaited return to the Stanley Cup playoffs in a 3-2 victory Friday night.

Patrik Elias, Dainius Zubrus and Ryan Carter scored in a span of just over eight minutes in the opening period for the Devils.

Brodeur also picked up an assist for his 10th post-season point, and became the second goalie in NHL history to reach triple-figures in playoff wins.

Only Patrick Roy has more, with 151.

Sean Bergenheim and Kris Versteeg scored for Florida, which was in its first post-season game since losing to Brodeur and the Devils on April 20, 2000.

Jose Theodore made 35 saves for the Panthers. Game 2 is Sunday night. Florida got home-ice for at least the first round by winning the Southeast Division title, the first team since Detroit in 1988-89 to be outscored over a regular season and still win a division crown. Even with the NBA’S Miami Heat playing at home on Friday and with the Miami Marlins hosting a regular-season game in their new ballpark for just the second time, the Panthers have been getting plenty of newfound attention in recent days.

“I know the fans here are thrilled that the 12-year drought is over ... and I think there are good times ahead for this franchise,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who was in the crowd.

“I think it’s well on the right path.”