Devils Stay Hot Even as Fans Stay Home

The New Jersey Devils are putting on quite a show wherever they play lately. And they’re doing it without much fanfare.

Patrik Elias scored on a power play to kick off a three-goal second period, and the Stanley Cup champion Devils extended their unbeaten streak to eight games with a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers at East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday.

“It’s kind of weird, we’re winning and you don’t feel the atmosphere yet and we’re on top,� Elias said. “Maybe that’s a good thing.�

After starting the season 2-3-2, the Devils have gone 6-0-2.

The only thing that hasn’t panned out is drawing fans, which has always been the Devils’ problem.

The arena was half empty, but the announced crowd was 10,202.

“My job is to win hockey games,� Devil Coach Pat Burns said. “I don’t believe my job is to go out and invite the people into the games. We’re winning, winning at home. I don’t think I’m the one that can answer that. I don’t count the people. I don’t look.�

The Devils drew 11,146 on Wednesday night for a neutral site game against Buffalo in Rochester, N.Y.

Philadelphia 4, Vancouver 3 -- Simon Gagne scored 1:47 into overtime to lift the host Flyers to their fifth straight victory. Todd Bertuzzi scored for the Canucks with 7.2 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

Phoenix 3, Colorado 2 -- Branko Radivojevic scored 1:51 into overtime, capping a frantic rally that lifted the host Coyotes over the Avalanche. Brian Savage and Ladislav Nagy also scored for Phoenix, which trailed, 2-0, going into the third period.

Ottawa 5, Columbus 2 -- Marian Hossa scored two of a team-record five power-play goals as the Senators overcame an early 2-0 deficit and beat the visiting Blue Jackets.

Edmonton 2, Minnesota 0 -- Ty Conklin made 22 saves to record his first career shutout and the Oilers beat the Wild at St. Paul, Minn.

N.Y. Islanders 3, Montreal 1 -- Garth Snow stopped 28 shots to lead the Islanders over the Canadiens in Uniondale, N.Y.

Carolina 5, Atlanta 1 -- Erik Cole scored 26 seconds into the game, and Josef Vasicek and Rod Brind’Amour added power-play goals to lead the Hurricanes over the Thrashers in Raleigh, N.C.

Nashville 4, Calgary 1 -- Vladimir Orszagh scored the decisive goal and Tomas Vokoun stopped 29 shots in helping the Predators beat the Flames at home.

St. Louis 4, San Jose 3 -- Marco Sturm scored two of the Sharks’ three goals in 45 seconds during the third period, but Petr Cajanek scored on a breakaway with 14.8 seconds left in overtime for the visiting Blues.

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Colorado activated Paul Kariya from injured reserve, three weeks after he sprained his wrist.... Left wing Scott Thornton agreed to a two-year contract extension with San Jose.