Spezza put the Senators ahead a little more than a minute after Jay Pandolfo was penalized for interfering with Emery at 10:58. The center took a pass from Alfredsson along the left boards, skated into the circle and ripped a shot past a screened Brodeur.

Alfredsson, who has three goals in the last four games, scored with less than three minutes left in the second period. He took a pass from Spezza, skated into the Devils’ zone and beat Brodeur with a shot between the pads, the third soft goal New Jersey’s All-Star surrendered in the past two games.

“I think the (first period) intermission woke us up,” Spezza said. “We knew we would not beat these guys if we played like we did in the first period and we had a great second and third period.”

New Jersey dominated the opening period and finally broke through when Gomez stuffed the rebound of Patrik Elias’ shot past Emery.

The Devils had their chances to add to the lead in the period but they either missed the net or couldn’t get the puck past Emery. Jamie Langenbrunner missed a wide open net after Zach Parise made a move in front and Emery made a diving glove stop on Elias after a great setup by Gomez.

The Devils didn’t beat Emery again until Gomez scored in the final minute with Brodeur on the bench.

Notes: The crowd of 19,040 was only the second sellout for the Devils this season. Both came in this series. ...Coach Lou Lamoriello didn’t make any lineup changes for Game 5, but he replaced right wing Sergei Brylin on the checking line with Erik Rasmussen skating with John Madden and Pandolfo. Brylin played on the fourth line with Jim Dowd and David Clarkson.

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