The Devils and Panthers may be avoiding the escalated nastiness seen in other playoff series around the league, but right winger David Clarkson doesn't want any good conduct medals.



"I like the after-whistle stuff," Clarkson said today. "I've said it before. People who watch on TV say, 'What's all this fighting?' Some people in the media disagree with it and some people who haven't played don't understand.



"You're not fighting for yourself. You're fighting for your team. You're fighting because you're losing or because someone got hit. Our series has been a bit different than a lot of them. There has been hitting and hard play. There hasn't been that fight yet, but I think everyone is putting everything on the ice."



Clarkson ended Game 4 with a 10-minute misconduct penalty when he tried to fight Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson after what he thought was a questionable hit.

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Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Henrique were the only players that did not practice today. Coach Pete DeBoer said they were both resting and will play in Game 5.



"I feel good. Well-rested," Kovalchuk said.



Asked about his series so far (two goals, one assist), he said: "It's not the best series probably for me. There are still a couple games left. Everything is in my hands and in our hands."



He shrugged off his goal in Game 4.



"We were up, 3-0, already," Kovalchuk said. "So it wasn't a big deal. It's nice to score goals, especially in the playoffs in front of your crowd."



Kovalchuk joked about the team's third line of Henrique centering for Alexei Ponikarovsky amd Clarkson.



"They're playing well. I think they have great chemistry. Three big guys and all of them are really good skaters. Except Clarkie," he said with a laugh. "I'm just kidding. They're playing good."

* * *

The Devils recalled 17 players from Albany now that the team's AHL season is over, but they will skate in Albany.



Recalled were goaliess Jeff Frazee and Keith Kinkaid; defensemen Brandon Burlon, Matt Corrente, Eric Gelinas, Dan Kelly, Jay Leach, Matt Taormina and Alexander Urbom; and forwards Matt Anderson, Mike Hoeffel, Brad Mills, Tim Sestito, Mike Sislo, Mattias Tedenby, Steve Zalewski and Vladimir Zharkov.

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Defenseman Anton Volchenkov was plus-2 in Game 4 after being on the ice for nine of Florida's first 10 goals in the series.



"It's best that the team won," Volchenkov said. "The first three games I had some bad luck. I played better on the PK, but still I have to (improve). Sure I was a little bothered but now I'm much better."

* * *

DeBoer was asked if the momentum is now with the Devils.

"I think the momentum shifted a couple of times in this series and it hasn't resulted in wins, so I don't know where the momentum is at. I know we feel good about the spot we're in and the way we play on the road. We're excited to play," he said.

He said he doesn't think his players will feel they have control.

"I don't think so. These guys are smart enough to know," he said. "We're down to a two out of three. There is no opportunity to cruise any more."

* * *

Defenseman Bryce Salvador has three assists in the four games.

* * *

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Brodeur has not gone the distance in six playoff starts.

He has posted in a shutout in his next game three times.

Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com; twitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils