Devils Win In OT

Senators roster

Ottawa battled back after being down 3-0 in the first period to force overtime with Vaclav Prospal's tying goal with eight-tenths of a second left in regulation.

"Every game against Ottawa is a tough game," Devils coach Robbie Ftorek said. "That is what makes it so satisfying when you come away with the two points. These games are very important and this one was an especially big one. Ottawa is right behind us, so this was a four-point game."

Sergei Brylin, Jason Arnott and Brad Bombardir scored in the first nine minutes of the game but Ottawa rallied behind goaltender Patrick Lalime, who replaced Ron Tugnutt after the second goal.

"We make it tough on ourselves," Devils defenseman Scott Stevens said. "But we're playing smarter hockey and we're getting rewarded."

Shawn McEachern scored twice for Ottawa before Prospal's game-tying goal with Lalime pulled to the bench.

"Against New Jersey it is always an exciting game," Prospal said. "We don't seem to like each other very much and it shows up on the ice. In a lot of ways we have similar teams and styles."