Devils 2, Panthers 0

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -The New Jersey Devils' first in-season team meeting under coach Claude Julien worked wonders.

Martin Brodeur tied Hall of Famer Jacques Plante for fourth place on the NHL shutout list with 82 and the Devils responded to their little get together the previous day by snapping a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.

"That's why you do those kinds of things," said Julien, who called the meeting after New Jersey gave up 15 goals in the skid. "It's about relaxing and making sure we're back to being the type of team we should be. We just wanted to put all the things together. It wasn't a matter of panicking."

Zach Parise and Patrik Elias scored power-play goals to support Brodeur's 29-save effort in a game in which the Devils reverted to their defensive style of play.

"It was definitely nice to get the goals when we got them," Brodeur said. "It was definitely what we are used to. There is no sense panicking. We know when we play like this we'll be all right."

Brodeur felt honored being tied with Plante.

"All these names, it's hard to imagine myself along side of them," he said. "It's a fun ride I am having."

Brodeur probably had to make about six good saves in posting his second shutout of the season. His best was a sprawling stop midway through the first period on a rebound attempt along the ice by Ville Peltonen. Brodeur also stopped Gary Roberts in close on two stuff attempts during the first of the Panthers' two power plays.

The Panthers' inability to stay out of the penalty box was the difference in the game. New Jersey had six power plays, including a 61-second, two-man advantage that Florida killed off.

Parise got the Devils on the board with Bryan Allen off for tripping late in the first period. New Jersey defenseman Brian Rafalski took a shot from the point that Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester knocked down. The puck seemed to go under goalie Alex Auld, but Parise poked it into the net for his fourth goal.

"It was a scrum and I took at whack at it, and I don't know how it went in," Parise said. "Auld, when he went back, may have put it in himself."

Elias got his second of the season with less than five minutes left in the second period. Jamie Langenbrunner missed a wide-open shot from between the circles. The puck bounced off the glass behind the net and came out to Elias, who slid it into the net.

Auld faced 23 shots.

Devils tough guy Cam Janssen bullied the Panthers all game. His first-period hit on Mike Van Ryn knocked the Florida defenseman out of the game with a shoulder injury.

Janssen instigated a little melee with a charging penalty against Gary Roberts in the second period and he pummeled Panthers defenseman Steve Montador in a third-period fight.

"He's young kid in this league and he creates energy for them," Montador said. "He is just doing his job. It's frustrating though because they are playing a style that won them three Cups and any coach that comes in here plays that style. It's something to learn from."

Notes: Devils C Scott Gomez left the game late in the second period with a groin injury. ... Florida dressed seven defensemen and Joel Kwiatkowski moved from a wing back to defense on Van Ryn was hurt. ... Florida C Joe Nieuwendyk, who hurt his back in a win over the Rangers on Wednesday, did not dress. ... New Jersey recalled defenseman Alex Brooks from Lowell on Thursday. He was paired with Jim Fahey.