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National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Jersey 4, Philadelphia 1
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Referees: Kelly Sutherland, Chris Lee
Linesmen: Steve Barton, Jean Morin
Attendance: 20131

DEVILS 4, FLYERS 1
: David Clarkson scored the game winner with less than nine minutes remaining, one of four third-period goals for New Jersey in its series-evening victory over host Philadelphia.

Travis Zajac, Bryce Salvador and rookie Adam Larsson had the other third-period goals for the Devils, who have seized home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series Eastern Conference semifinal series. Game 3 goes Thursday night in New Jersey.

The Devils dominated the opening two periods against Philadelphia but had only a 1-0 deficit to show for it. Their luck changed in the third, as Larsson - playing in his first career postseason game - knotted things up with a shot that beat Flyers netminder Ilya Bryzgalov high on the short side at 3:08.

That set the stage for Clarkson, who put New Jersey ahead for good at 11:17. The veteran forward drove to the net and banged home a rebound of a Zach Parise shot before winding up on top of the Philadelphia net.

Zajac provided some insurance at the 14-minute mark, converting a backhand wraparound for his fifth goal in nine preseason games. He scored just twice in 15 regular-season outings.

Salvador iced things with an empty netter while Martin Brodeur turned aside 19 shots for the Devils, whose league-best penalty-killing unit kept Philadelphia scoreless on four power-play chances.

The Flyers struck first at 2:53 of the opening period. Matt Read's initial shot deflected off the side of the net and caromed to teammate Peter Harrold, who centered the puck back to Read for a one-timer that beat Brodeur low.

The Devils poured on the pressure in a dominant second period - outshooting the Flyers 12-2 in the frame - but couldn't solve Bryzgalov, who finished with 31 saves in defeat.

GAME NOTEBOOK
: New Jersey prevailed without leading scorer Ilya Kovalchuk, who is dealing with a lower-body injury. ... The Flyers' power play, which decimated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round, has struck just once in 11 chances against New Jersey. ... Larsson, who was a healthy scratch for the entire first round and the opening game against Philadelphia, had two goals and 16 assists in 65 regular-season games with the Devils. ... Salvador's goal was his first in 100 games.
Top Game Performances
 
New Jersey   Philadelphia
Dainius Zubrus 2 Points Matt Read 1
David Clarkson 1 Goals Matt Read 1
Dainius Zubrus 2 Assists Brayden Schenn 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
Bryce Salvador 1 Short Handed Goals N/A
Martin Brodeur .950 Save Percentage Ilya Bryzgalov .912
Martin Brodeur 19 Saves Ilya Bryzgalov 31
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
New Jersey 35 4 0-4 5-5 12 27
Philadelphia 20 1 0-5 4-4 32 26
Upcoming Games
  • Philadelphia will play their next game on the road against New Jersey. The Flyers have a W/L % of .426 after a win and .771 after a loss.
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Devils have a W/L % of .604 after a win and .559 after a loss.