EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — John Madden scored in the sixth round of a shootout last night to give the Devils a 3–2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Madden whipped a forehand over Cam Ward’s stick, sending the Devils to their fourth win in five games. Earlier in the shootout, Brian Gionta scored for New Jersey in the second round before Rod Brind’Amour countered for Carolina in the third.

The Devils got regulation goals from Travis Zajac and Jim Dowd as they beat the Hurricanes, who knocked New Jersey out of the 2006 playoffs in the second round, for the second time in two meetings this season. Dowd sent the game into overtime by scoring with 1 minute remaining.

Eric Stall and Brind’Amour scored for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Hurricanes outshot the Devils 8–7 in a scoreless first period. Carolina had the better chances early but New Jersey stepped up the pressure in the final five minutes of the period with Zach Parise and Zajac getting close-in chances.

The teams exchanged power-play goals in the second with New Jersey connecting first at 7:50 when Zajac knocked Parise’s rebound past Ward.

The Hurricanes cashed in a golden opportunity when the Devils lost two defenseman to delay-of-game penalties for shooting the puck over the glass. Alex Brooks was whistled first, followed by Brad Lukowich 24 seconds later.

Stall converted the 5-on-3 advantage with a hard drive from the point at 9:39 to beat Martin Brodeur for his team-leading ninth goal.