Devils 2, Panthers 1: Patrik Elias and David Clarkson scored second-period goals as host New Jersey held on to edge Florida.

Travis Zajac notched two assists and Martin Brodeur made 17 saves for the Devils, who have won two straight following a three-game winless streak. Star forward Ilya Kovalchuk suffered an injury to his right shoulder midway through the third period and did not return.

Peter Mueller scored and former Devil Scott Clemmensen turned aside 23 shots for the Panthers, who failed to pick up a season-best third straight victory.

After a scoreless first period, Elias got New Jersey on the board early in the second as he converted a pass from Zajac from in front 84 seconds into the session. Clarkson doubled the lead with just under nine minutes remaining in the period, knocking his own rebound past Clemmensen for his 12th goal.

Florida halved the deficit with the help of Brodeur, who turned over the puck behind his own net. Tomas Fleischmann grabbed it and fed Mueller, who tapped it into a vacant net with 10 seconds left in the second.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kovalchuk was injured just over nine minutes into the third, when he tripped and crashed into the boards behind Florida's net. ... RW Matt D'Agostini made his Devils debut a day after being acquired from St. Louis. He registered two shots on goal in 9 1/2 minutes of ice time. ... Florida D Dmitry Kulikov returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with a dislocated shoulder and recorded two shots while blocking three in 18:42 of playing time.