Devils Steal One From Flyers in Philadelphia

Final: Devils 2 - Flyers 1

Top Performers:

1. Jaromir Jagr (NJD) - 1 G, 1 A, 1 SOG, Plus-2
   
2. Nicklas Grossman (PHI) - 1 G, 0 A, 2 SOG, Plus-1
3. Martin Brodeur (NJD) - 1 GA, 30 Saves, .968 SV%

Highlights:

• The Devils struck first when a defensive breakdown by Brayden Schenn left Travis Zajac alone in front of the Flyers net and he patiently held the puck until he got an open net to go up 1-0 just 7:56 into the first period.
• The Flyers responded early in the second period when Nicklas Grossmann threw the puck on net and beat Martin Brodeur five-hole 47 seconds into the second.
• It was Grossmann's first goal in 75 games dating back to February 20th, 2013 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• The goal give Grossmann 12 points on the year tying a career-high he set with the Dallas Stars in 2008-09.
• In the third period, the Devils were swarming the Flyers net when Marek Zidlicky got the puck to Jaromir Jagr next to the Steve Mason. Jagr somehow muscled the puck between Mason's pads and the post to give New Jersey a 2-1 lead.
• With just over 40 seconds left the Flyers got the puck to the net when Scott Hartnell got a shot off at the net while getting pushed by Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov. Volchenkox pushed Hartnell into his own goaltender and the puck went in but the referees declared it was "not a good hockey goal" despite the fact it was never covered.
• New Jersey went on to win 2-1 giving Martin Brodeur his 50th career win against the Flyers.
• It marked the first time this season the Flyers have lost a game to the Devils in which they have registered at least one goal.
• The penalty kill was strong for both teams as the Flyers went 0-for-6 on the power play while the Devils went 0-for-3 on the man-advantage.
• Each of the Flyers last four goals dating back to Saturday against the Maple Leafs have come from defensemen.
• The Flyers outshot the Devils 31-26 including 25-13 over the final two periods.
• Claude Giroux registered an assist on the Grossmann goal giving him 65 points in 65 games this season.
• The Flyers top line got a lot of work: Giroux (24:35 TOI), Scott Hartnell (23:36 TOI), Jake Voracek (23:10 TOI).
• It was Hartnell's 500th game as a Philadelphia Flyer.
  
  

The Flyers get back at it Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia. Puck drop is slated for 1:00 pm.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
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