Devils 3, Hurricanes 2
NEWARK, N.J. -- Defenseman David Schlemko scored with 3:05 remaining to help lift the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Prudential Center on Tuesday night.
The bad-angle goal capped a comeback from down 2-1 to start the period. Schlemko lost control the puck on a 2-on-2 rush, gathered it in the corner and fired it toward the net, where it bounced off Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk and into the net for the deciding goal.
Devils right winger Kyle Palmieri scored his 16th goal of the season. Left winger Bobby Farnham also scored for New Jersey.
Goaltender Keith Kinkaid made 26 saves for the Devils.
Hurricanes center Eric Staal scored twice while goaltender Cam Ward stopped 21 shots.
After a scoreless first period, Staal struck twice in the second.
Staal gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 2:51. The play was set up by right winger Kris Versteeg, who fed Staal for a one-timer off an odd-man rush that caught Kinkaid too far out of the net.
The Devils responded 3:15 later when Farnham made it 1-1 with his fourth goal of the season. Farnham collected the puck behind the net and backhanded it to the crease only to have the puck deflect off a Hurricanes defender and past an unsuspecting Ward.
Staal restored the lead with his seventh goal 3:40 later. Staal surprised Kinkaid with a quick shot from along the goal line that slipped inside the near post to make it 2-1 Hurricanes.
Palmieri evened the game at 2 at 7:14 of the third period. Defenseman Jon Merrill wristed a shot from the blue line that found its way through traffic and off Palmieri's skate.
With 5:11 to play, Kinkaid appeared to injure his right skate while pushing across to face a Versteeg shot. Play was stopped as a trainer attended to Kinkaid, who remained in the game.
NOTES: Hurricanes LW Nathan Gerbe (lower body) did not play and has been out since Nov. 22. ... Hurricanes RW Elias Lindholm (undisclosed) was in the lineup after being considered a game-time decision. ... Devils LW Patrik Elias (knee) was placed on injured reserve and has missed four consecutive games. The 39-year-old has played in just 13 games this season. ... Devils LW Bobby Farnham was activated off IR and was in the lineup for the first time since Dec. 8. ... Devils LW Tuomo Ruutu (illness) did not play.