EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Ottawa Senators were short on cash in the regular season. Now they're rich with momentum in the NHL Eastern Conference final.

Defenceman Chris Phillips scored 15:51 into overtime to lift the Senators to a 2-1 victory last night and force a Game 7 tomorrow in Ottawa.

It was the second straight game the Senators fought off elimination.

"Even when we were down 3-1, there was not one guy in our dressing room or organization that counted ourselves out," Phillips said.

Vaclav Varada was trying to hit the loose puck in front Martin Brodeur but all he was making contact with was the New Jersey goalie. Trailing the play, Phillips found the loose puck behind Varada and fired it into the net.

"I was just able to get in there and get a whack at it," said Phillips. "I didn't even realize it went in until the other guys started celebrating."

Sens goalie Patrick Lalime kept Ottawa alive in the extra session by fighting off several New Jersey flurries. The biggest threat came from Brian Gionta, who was stopped on a 2-on-1 with Patrik Elias.

New Jersey, trying to reach the Stanley Cup final for the third time in four years, has never lost a series in which it led 3-1. The Senators have never advanced this far in the playoffs in their 11-year history.

"We have to play one game. That's going to be the hardest game," said forward Marian Hossa, who assisted on both Ottawa goals. "We're going to be home and that's a good thing."

The West champion Anaheim Mighty Ducks, who haven't played since last Friday, will face the winner on the road in Game 1 of the final on Tuesday night.

"That's all we wanted to do -- to have practice tomorrow," said forward Bryan Smolinski.

There have been 17 comebacks from 3-1 deficits, including three in this year's playoffs.

"We have a big Game 7 ahead of us and we have to start thinking about that," said Joe Nieuwendyk, who scored the Devils' goal on a pwer play early in the third period.

The Senators, 4-0 in overtime in the postseason, filed for bankruptcy during the season. Now they have squared the series.

"We like our odds going back home, but we know we are going to have to be better," said Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson. "They are a veteran team that's going to come to Ottawa and play their best."

The Devils were beaten on the road in Game 5 and then sustained their first home loss in this postseason following an 8-0 start.

"We're a good hockey club when our backs are up against the wall," said Devils forward John Madden. "Sad to say, but that's what it takes sometimes to see the character of this team."

In making 30 saves, Lalime looked more like the goalie who held opponents to two goals or fewer in 11 straight playoff games than the one who yielded 10 goals to the Devils in three losses after Game 1.

"I'm sure it will be great," Lalime said of Game 7. "I know the fans were pretty loud for Game 5 at home. It's a plus -- that's what we work all year for.

"It's no gimme, that's for sure. We'll have to bring our best game of the series, even if we're at home. And we've just got to play like we did tonight."

SENATORS 2

DEVILS 1 (OT)

Series tied 3-3