NHL

Kovalchuk injured in Devils win over Panthers

Two games after Martin Brodeur returned from a back injury, the Devils have two wins after last night’s 2-1 victory over the Panthers in Newark. However, their playoff chances could have taken a major hit as Ilya Kovalchuk injured his shoulder in the third period and did not return.

“Shoulder injury. I don’t know the details or the extent yet, “ Pete DeBoer said after the win. “He’s obviously probably going to be out at least a short time, so we’ll have to fill that hole.”

The injury occurred halfway through the third period when Kovalchuk slipped and slid into the boards, his right shoulder taking the brunt of the collision. He winced in pain on the ice before getting up on his own power and skating to the dressing room. He was not available after the game, and his teammates said they hoped the injury wasn’t that serious.

“I hope he’s alright,” said David Clarkson, who scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal. “You saw on the power play we missed him, so hopefully everything is okay.”

Clarkson was referring to a five-minute power play that the Devils had shortly after Kovalchuk’s injury, in which the Devils were nursing a 2-1 lead, but didn’t score and had only four shots. If Kovalchuk is out an extended period of time, it would be a big hit to a team struggling offensively, as his 10 goals and 27 points are both second on the team.

“We got some big players. Not just talent-wise, but size-wise that are hurt now with [Alexei Ponikarovsky] and [Dainius Zubrus] and if we are missing Kovy, then that’s three big guys,” said Brodeur, who had 17 saves to earn his 666th career win.

“I think to the extent of a Kovy, he is our top player,” Brodeur said. “I don’t know what the injury is but hopefully it’s not too serious.”

New Jersey remained in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, holding a four-point lead over the ninth-place Rangers, who have two games in hand. Kovalchuk is not only a contributor on offense, but has a league-leading four short handed goals as well. But DeBoer is confident that his team will respond in Kovalchuk’s absence.

“Injuries are a part of this. Everybody is dealing with them. I think we have to be prepared for it,” he said. “No one is feeling sorry for yourself. We will get through it.”

Patrik Elias opened up the scoring early in the second period to give the Devils a 1-0 lead before Clarkson’s tally gave them a two-goal advantage. The Panthers lone goal came off of a Brodeur turnover behind his own net which Peter Mueller tapped into the vacant net for the Panthers’ only goal.

david.satriano@nypost.com