Devils' winger David Clarkson said he would have no problem if this series against the Florida Panthers got a little nastier.

He has watched some of the other playoffs series, such as the Flyers and Penguins.

"I love what's going on in those other series. Guys are putting everything on the ice every night," Clarkson said. "I think we are as well. Every series you watch is going to be a lot different. I like what's going on in (the Flyers-Penguins) series and in ours.

"There have been a lot of hits in our games. You haven't seen a lot of fights, but I think everything else is there. I like fights. I like what's going on in those other series. I'm a big fan of that."

Devils coach Pete DeBoer said there is intensity in this series.

"I think the battle at ice level is real similar. There has been a battle for time and space," he said. "It hasn't gone the route of dropping gloves and squaring off."

DeBoer said it is "standard playoff rhetoric" to make sure his players aren't getting involved after whistles.

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DeBoer coached Panthers' defenseman Jason Garrison, who has become a key component on Florida's power play.

"Did I predict he'd lead the NHL in goals for defensemen, or whatever he ended up? No. Probably not. But you could see his offensive potential fore sure," DeBoer said. "Garri is a guy that really worked at his game when he started in Rochester to his first year with us and his second year. You could see him evolving and getting better every year. So I'm not surprised he's having success and turning into a top-pairing defenseman in the league.

"We used him there last year with (Mike) Weaver and played him those type of minutes. He's a guy you give full marks to for working at his game. He's getting better and better and I expect they're going to have to pay him a whole helluva lot next year."

It appears Panthers' left winger Wojtek Wolski will miss Game 3 and be replaced by Jerred Smithson.

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Kris Versteeg continues to score against the Devils.

"I'll leave those stats to you. I've never really looked at them," Versteeg said.

As for the Devils, Versteeg said: "We know we can play with these guys. They're obviously very skilled and a very defensively-sound team at the same time. But when we play our game, we're a very good team, too. We have the confidence we can play with these guys."

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DeBoer on playing at home: "I know we're comfortable at home and it's nice to be home. Florida is a tough rink to play in. We found a way to get a win down there but I know we're happy to be back in our rink."

He also spoke about teams dominating a period so far in the first two games.

"No one plays 60 minutes like we played in the first (period of Game 1) or like Florida has played in stretches. It's riding the waves of momentum of a game," DeBoer said. "As nice as it sounds, 'Why can't we just play 60 minutes like we played the first period in Game 1 against Florida?" it doesn't work that way. You want to play as long as you possible can that way. And then when the momentum does shift and the other team grabs it, you want to limit that as short as possible. That's how you have to manage it."

For more Devils coverage, follow Rich Chere on Twitter at twitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils

Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com

