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 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Brian Gionta scored two goals and Patrik Elias had an assist in his first game of the season to help the New Jersey Devils beat the Florida Panthers 3-0 Tuesday night.
Elias, the Devils' leading scorer in each of the last five seasons, was sidelined for several months after contracting hepatitis A last spring while playing in Europe during the NHL lockout. Devils interim coach Lou Lamoriello inserted him in the first line Tuesday night with Gionta and Scott Gomez and the left wing received a loud ovation when he took the ice to start the game.
Elias was on the ice for both of Gionta's goals, one in the first period and one in the second, as the Devils earned a desperately needed win. New Jersey (17-18-5) had lost 11 of its last 14 games and had been outscored 12-5 in its last two losses to Toronto and Pittsburgh.
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