Despite sloppy play, the Flyers battled back from a 3-0 deficit and then a 4-3 deficit in front of the home crowd at the Wells Fargo Center. Former Flyer Dainius Zubrus gave the Devils the 5-4 lead by beating goalie Steve Mason from the right circle with 12:47 left. An empty netter from Mike Cammalleri sealed the Flyers fate and sent the Devils home with a 6-4 victory.
Michael Ryder scored the game's first goal for New Jersey 12:05 into the first period while Mason was being screened. The Devils would add 2 more in the first 6 minutes of the second period from Adam Henrique and Mike Cammalleri. Henrique's goal deflected off Luke Schenn's skate and Cammalleri was the deflection point for a slapshot from the ageless Jaromir Jagr.
Despite being down 3-0 Craig Berube opted not to pull Steve Mason, which was just because the first 3 goals, which came on only 9 shots, weren't completely his fault.
Just when things were turning grim, the Flyers worked the puck beautifully around the offensive zone on a power play and Claude Giroux was able to rip one home.
Wayne Simmonds went on a tear in the last minute of the second period, scoring goals with 57 seconds and 0.4 seconds left. This made the score 3-3 at the second intermission.
The third period was just as eventful as the second. Patrik Elias broke the tie four minutes in with an easy tap-in after being left alone on a rush. Only 15 seconds later Vinny Lecavalier and Wayne Simmonds would find themselves on a 2-on-1 rush. Lecavalier beat Schneider to tie it 4-4. This would be the Flyers last goal of the night.
Right after a successful Philadelphia penalty kill, Dainius Zubrus beat Mason from the right side. Mason got a little of the shot with his stick, but it wasn't enough. Cammalleri scored the empty netter to make the final 6-4.
Adding to the long running theme of the defense being the Flyers achilles heal, Del Zotto posted a -4 tonight and Luke Schenn posted a -5. Braydon Coburn did not play due to a lower body injury and was replaced in the line-up with Nick Schultz.
Mason saved 20 of 25 for an .800 save percentage.
The next game is at the Well Saturday night against Montreal. The Flyers won't see the Devils again until 2015. January 3 to be exact.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Despite being down 3-0 Craig Berube opted not to pull Steve Mason, which was just because the first 3 goals, which came on only 9 shots, weren't completely his fault.
Just when things were turning grim, the Flyers worked the puck beautifully around the offensive zone on a power play and Claude Giroux was able to rip one home.
Wayne Simmonds went on a tear in the last minute of the second period, scoring goals with 57 seconds and 0.4 seconds left. This made the score 3-3 at the second intermission.
The third period was just as eventful as the second. Patrik Elias broke the tie four minutes in with an easy tap-in after being left alone on a rush. Only 15 seconds later Vinny Lecavalier and Wayne Simmonds would find themselves on a 2-on-1 rush. Lecavalier beat Schneider to tie it 4-4. This would be the Flyers last goal of the night.
Right after a successful Philadelphia penalty kill, Dainius Zubrus beat Mason from the right side. Mason got a little of the shot with his stick, but it wasn't enough. Cammalleri scored the empty netter to make the final 6-4.
Adding to the long running theme of the defense being the Flyers achilles heal, Del Zotto posted a -4 tonight and Luke Schenn posted a -5. Braydon Coburn did not play due to a lower body injury and was replaced in the line-up with Nick Schultz.
Mason saved 20 of 25 for an .800 save percentage.
The next game is at the Well Saturday night against Montreal. The Flyers won't see the Devils again until 2015. January 3 to be exact.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat