EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Brian Gionta scored two goals and Patrick Elias had an assist in his first game of the season to help the New Jersey Devils beat the Florida Panthers 3-0 last 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 last 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.

Against Florida (16-21-5), which had won its last three games and seven of its last 10, the Devils got a sharp performance from goaltender Martin Brodeur (16 saves), who registered his first shutout since March 30, 2004.

Gionta scored his first goal midway through the first period when he one-timed a shot from the slot over goaltender Roberto Luongo’s right shoulder after Gomez slipped him a backhand pass from behind the net.

Gionta gave the Devils an insurance goal midway through the second period after some hard work by Elias. Gomez fed a long cross-ice pass to Elias that was tipped into the corner behind Luongo, but the winger beat Hill to the puck and fed Gionta at the near post for the tap in.

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LIGHTNING 1, RANGERS 0 Vaclav Propsal jammed the puck past Henrik Lundqvist at 3:47 of overtime, and John Grahame made 36 saves for his second shutout of the season in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 1-0 victory over the Rangers last night.