Rookie Jason Spezza provided the Ottawa Senators the offense they needed to stay alive in the playoffs.
Spezza, making his NHL playoff debut, had a goal and assisted on Martin Havlat’s game-winner, lifting the Senators to a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night.
Todd White also scored for the Senators, who cut the Devils’ lead to 3-2.
Ottawa was 0-6 in their playoff history when facing elimination.
Scott Stevens scored for the Devils, who appeared to have the series momentum coming off Saturday’s 5-2 victory. New Jersey, attempting to reach the Stanley Cup finals for the third time in four years, has never lost a series it led 3-1.
The series winner faces the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, who are resting after sweeping the Minnesota Wild.
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Wednesday’s game
– Ottawa at New Jersey, 6 p.m., ESPN
