The Devils didn’t need a spectacular game from Martin Brodeur to even their first-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A big offensive night for Zach Parise and Scott Gomez’s overtime goal were enough.

Parise scored his fifth and sixth goals of the series, and Gomez blocked a shot then chased down the loose puck and skated in to blow the winner past goalie Johan Holmqvist with 7:06 left in the extra period to give the Devils a 4–3 victory and tie the Eastern Conference series at two games apiece last night.

Game 5 is Friday night at New Jersey.

Brodeur had 30 saves, but squandered a two-goal lead in the second period. He has given up 12 goals in four games after entering the postseason with a career 1.89 goalsagainst average in 153 playoff games.

Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Eric Perrin scored the Lightning, who rallied from a 3–1 deficit. Brian Gionta had New Jersey’s other goal.

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SABRES 4, ISLANDERS 2 Chris Drury scored twice and Ryan Miller made 24 saves to help Buffalo beat the Islanders 4–2 on Wednesday night, giving the topseeded Sabres a 3–1 lead in the first-round series.

Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville also scored for Buffalo, in position to end the series Friday night in Buffalo.

Jason Blake and Mike Sillinger scored for the Islanders, and Rick DiPietro stopped 27 shots in his third start since returning from a concussion.

The Islanders thought they had tied it with 1:42 left after Miller was pushed across the goal line in a big scramble in front. Referee Mike Leggo, positioned behind the goal, immediately waved off the goal and his decision was upheld by replay.

Pominville then beat DiPieto with 1:12 left to seal the victory.

Drury, who also scored twice in Buffalo’s Game 1 victory, gave the Sabres a 3-2 lead with a powerplay goal 39 seconds into the second period.