Rats! Henrique ends Panthers season in 2nd OT!

Adam Henrique scored his second goal of the game 3:47 into the second overtime to lift the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers,winning the series four games to three and picking up a ticket to the conference semi-final against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Stephen Gionta scored the other Devils tally that was sandwiched in between the Henrique goals.
The Devils led 2-0 until two third period Florida goals that were both scored on the power play.
The league will announce tomorrow the dates and times for the Flyers series.
I would guess on Game one being Sunday,but Saturday is possible....

Hell Raisers

1) I had to listen to the third period and the overtime sessions via the XM,so my thoughts on those periods are colored by the Devils radio team,but once again the Devils penalty killers failed them when they could have put the game away.
The penalty killing was a strength entering the series,it leaves the series as a possible vulnerability....

2) 43 saves from Martin Brodeur and Brodeur appears to be reaching an up cycle after hitting a low earlier in the series.
Brodeur had better be sharp entering the Flyer series as the Philly offense is running on high octane...

3) Have to be happy for Adam Henrique and his first two goals,but he almost had two more in regulation.
Henrique might be getting hot at the right time.

4) As is Stephen Gionta,who has went from Albany to scoring his first NHL goal in the last game of the season to dressing for all seven playoff games and scoring two goals.
Rachel asked me after his goal:"Think Gionta will be back with Albany when Josefson comes back?"
Maybe,but he is making a case to stick around,besides I had forgotten all about Jacob Josefson being injured.
That is just one reason that I love that girl!

5) I wish that I had more to add,but since I missed so much of the game,I would like to say to the Panther organization-good series on the ice,but you have much to learn off the ice.
And I am not talking about the players.
The antics of the Florida owner left tons to be desired and the rat thing was something that came back to bite them-Pun definitely intended!

6) The Devils split the season series with the Flyers and will be the deserved underdogs in the series,especially after the Flyers dispatched Pittsburgh so impressively.
That said,the Devils are under no pressure and that can go a long way.
The Devils have the first round monkey off their back and everything now is house money.
Besides,the one thing that the Flyers do not have is a proven goalie as far as making long playoff runs,the Devils happen to have one that has....

Photo Credits
Celebration:AP Photo
Theodore: Getty Images