EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, 7 June 2003 — The New Jersey Devils got a series worth of bounces in one game and two goals from Jamie Langenbrunner, moving to within a win of their third championship with a 6-3 victory over Anaheim in game five of the Stanley Cup Finals. The teams exploded for nine goals on Thursday after combining for 12 in the first four games to match a 58-year-old Stanley Cup finals record.
“Both teams have been taking such a beating about how the scores are so low,” Devils center Scott Gomez said. “It was good for the NHL tonight. I’m sure both teams would disagree, but, hey, that’s hockey.”
New Jersey became the first National Hockey League team in this year’s playoffs to score more than three goals against Jean-Sebastien Giguere, although they had help from the Ducks.
One goal went in off the stick off Mike Leclerc, one went off the skate of Devils winger Jay Pandolfo and two others resulted from favorable bounces. Brian Gionta chipped in a goal and two assists to help New Jersey improve to 11-1 at home in the playoffs.
“I think we’re going on the road to a place that wasn’t really kind to us so far in the series,” said New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur, who made 20 saves. “It kind of makes us want to do it.” The home team has taken the first five games in the series, but a road win today would give the Devils the Stanley Cup.
Pandolfo got the go-ahead tally at 9:02 of the second period. Giguere got his right skate on Gionta’s shot from the top of the right faceoff circle, but the rebound hit the right skate of Pandolfo, who was driving to the net.
