Brodeur One-ups Ward as Devils Take a 3-2 Series Advantage

86 shots. 85 saves. 1 goal.

Unfortunately for Cam Ward's Carolina Hurricanes, the one blemish on the scoresheet belonged to the Devils' David Clarkson.

With under nine minutes left in the second period and the Devils on the power-play, Clarkson was able to deflect an Andy Greene point shot past Cam Ward and into the back of the net.

That was all Marty Brodeur and the Devils' stingy team defense would need.

Brodeur was able to make a variation of saves down the stretch to keep Jersey clinging to a one goal advantage. At the other end of the ice, Cam Ward was able to do the same to give his team the chance for the equalizer.

That equalizer never arrived for Carolina, despite 16 third period shots. Eric Staal was around the net all game, throwing seven pucks at the Devils' netminder. Jussi Jokinen, the Game Four hero, was promoted from the fourth line and logged over 18 minutes of ice time. He turned in another splendid effort for Carolina.

For the Devils, Brendan Shanahan had what was undoubtedly his best game of the series, launching the rubber disk at Cam Ward five times in over 19 minutes of ice time. Paul Martin continued to be the go-to-guy on the Devils' back-line, logging upwards of 27 minutes while going up against the Canes top guns. Clarkson continued to be a thorn in Carolina's side in front of the net.

As a spectator, this series has been an absolute treat. Both teams are laying it all on the line, and are willing to pay the price shift in and shift out. If you aren't driving to the net 110%, don't even bother. If Brodeur or Ward can see the shot, they will stop it 99% of the time - they are playing that well. Heck, even if they can't see the shot they are still stopping it 90% of the time.

For the Canes, they will attempt to use the energy that will be provided by their fans in the friendly confines of Raleigh for Game Six. For the Devils, they will need to continue to play within their longstanding playoff identity - team defense.

I remember the last Devils' game I attended. Some little snot behind me kept chanting "Marty's better," over and over again.

Tonight he was bang-on.