Clemmensen to start in goal for Panthers

NEWARK, N.J. -- Scott Clemmensen will make his second career playoff start on Tuesday when the Florida Panthers skate against the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series at Prudential Center.

According to reports Tuesday morning, No. 1 goaltender Jose Theodore tweaked something during Monday's practice and is unable to play. It remains to be seen if Theodore, who is 2-1 with a 2.60 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in this series, would be available if the Devils force a Game 7 on Thursday at BankAtlantic Center.

Scott Clemmensen

Goalie - FLA

RECORD: 1-1-0
GAA: 2.11 | SVP: 0.913

Clemmensen is 1-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average and .913 save percentage against the Devils in this series. The 34-year-old was first called upon to replace Theodore 6:16 into the first period of Game 3 with his team trailing 3-0. The former New Jersey netminder, whose only previous playoff experience came in a relief stint for Martin Brodeur six years ago, stopped all 19 shots he faced as the Panthers rallied for an improbable 4-3 victory. It was Clemmensen's first career playoff win.

He was given the start in Game 4 but allowed four goals on 27 shots as the Devils won 4-0. Theodore got the start in Game 5 and turned back 30 shots in a 3-0 victory on Saturday in Sunrise, Fla.

Following Florida's morning skate on Tuesday, Clemmensen declared himself ready to go.

"It's not like I've been on the bench for three weeks now," Clemmensen said. "I've been playing pretty regularly. I'm still there. My game is still right there. I don't anticipate there being any rust."

Clemmensen will be backed up on Tuesday by rookie Jacob Markstrom, who was recalled from the team's American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio in the morning. Markstrom appeared in seven games with the Panthers this season, going 2-4-1 with a 2.66 GAA and .923 save percentage.

Markstrom was in the thick of the AHL playoffs at the time of his promotion, and recently helped lead the Rampage to a 2-0 series lead over the Chicago Wolves. The native of Gavle, Sweden, was drafted in the second round (No. 31) by the Panthers in 2008.

Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter at: @mike_morreale