Brian Gionta broke a tie early in
the third period and Martin Brodeur made 25 saves to lead the New
Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on
Saturday night.
Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner also scored for the Devils
while Brian Rafalski had three assists.
Mike Knuble scored twice for the Flyers.
Gionta put the Devils ahead at 3:33 of the final period.
Positioned at the top of the crease, Gionta deflected Rafalski's
shot between the pads of Antero Nittymaki.
It was the second straight game that Gionta came up big in the
third period. He scored all the goals as the Devils overcame a
three-goal third period deficit Thursday in a 7-6 shootout victory
over Toronto.
It was a solid night for Brodeur, who rebounded after
surrendering five second-period goals against the Maple Leafs.
The teams exchanged power-play goals in the first period.
New Jersey scored first at 9:08 when Parise rifled a shot from
the right circle past Nittymaki.
Philadelphia countered at 11:14 as Knuble cut to the net and took
a feed from Peter Forsberg to beat Brodeur. The power-play tally was
a rare development for the Flyers who were 3-for-32 with the man
advantage through the first four games.
Both teams added a goal in the second period.
Knuble scored again to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead at 1:23 as he
knocked in Geoff Sanderson's pass through the crease.
Langenbrunner pulled the Devils even with their second power-play
score with 1:41 remaining in the period. Langenbrunner, in the high
slot, deflected Rafalski's point shot.
Notes: The morning skate for both teams at Continental Airlines
Arena was cancelled due to a water-main break on Route 120, the
highway that runs past the arena. The break, which occurred Friday
afternoon, was repaired by 1:30 p.m. Saturday. ... Nittymaki made
his fourth straight start for the Flyers; Brodeur has started all
four games for the Devils. ... Philadelphia kicked off a four-game
road trip which continues with games against Buffalo, Tampa Bay and
Florida. ... Devils defenceman David Hale remains sidelined with an
eye injury suffered in practice on Sept. 29. ... Devils captain
Patrik Elias played in his 600th game.
