The week off between playoff games for the Philadelphia Flyers afforded them time to heal some injuries (notably defenseman Nicklas Grossmann’s concussion).
It also slowed down their offense out of the gate, as the New Jersey Devils came out firing in the first period of Game One of the Stanley Cup Semifinals.
The Flyers didn’t play their best hockey through 64 minutes, but they played well enough to earn a win in Game One to the tune of 4-3.
The Devils took eleven shots on goal before the Flyers earned their first. This included a goal by Zach Parise after Matt Read turned the puck over behind the net.
The Flyers tied the game in the second period, as Jake Voracek fed Danny Briere with a beautiful long-ice pass that he corralled for a breakaway on Marty Brodeur. The Devils’ defense of Peter Harrold and Anton Volchenkov were caught pinching too far deep.
Erik Gustafsson fired a laser at Brodeur 30 seconds later. Marty made a ridiculous save on the shot, but James van Riemsdyk scored on the ensuing rebound.
The officials awarded back-to-back “phantom” minor penalties to both the Flyers and the Devils after Eric Wellwood and Adam Henrique both raced to the opposing nets on breakaways. Travis Zajac scored on the powerplay for the Devils.
Claude Giroux, continuing his domination from Round One, scored the go-ahead goal on a powerplay while defenseman Andy Greene sat in the penalty box. Giroux was double shifted in the third period while Read sat in the dog house, finishing with 24:57 of ice time.
At the 11:22 mark of the third period, the Flyers’ lead was squandered as Petr Sykora beat Ilya Bryzgalov on a routine wrist shot through his five-hole.
Sykora’s goal forced overtime, but the Devils didn’t do much with the extra minutes on the clock. The Flyers sustained pressure in the offensive zone until Danny Briere scored twice for the game winner (the first goal didn’t count because Briere kicked the puck in).
Bryzgalov was great in net in the first period, giving the Flyers a chance after the team struggled to find its legs, but “vintage” Bryzgalov still found a way to make an appearance when the game was on the line.
At the other end of the ice, Brodeur was great to a fault. He was arguably the best player for the Devils, an accomplishment in itself considering he will turn 40 next week.
Patrik Elias made comments before the game that the Flyers were a team who take a lot of shots after the whistle, and that they’d have to stay disciplined. The Flyers played an incredibly disciplined game, though, while the Devils unraveled in the latter 40 minutes of play. The Flyers were 1-for-6 on the powerplay while the Devils were 1-for-3.
It’s difficult to pin-point any one area of the game that the Flyers need to improve on in Game Two, beyond avoiding turnovers behind the net. The Flyers held the Devils to just 11 shots on goal after the first period, but their skill (and Bryzgalov’s five hole) were enough to make do with what they could get.
The puck drops for Game Two on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Eleven more “knock knocks” to go.
For the latest Flyers news and updates, you can follow me on twitter (@JoshJanet).
Tale of two goalies again. Bryz saves the boys in the first period and then let’s in one that he really shoulda stopped in to let the Devils tie the game. It did come from a giveaway, but he needs to make that stop. Danny B saves the day again. JVR had a strong game, but they also missed a lot of open net chances.
Marty Brodeur.kept this game from being 7-3. One thing is for sure. The Devils dont have nearly the talent the Flyers have but in hockey the goalie can nullify the difference in talent levels.
like Bryz said a win is good — if you want the stanley cup you must win the home games
Found this song on NHL.com from flyer fans
Copy and Paste to youtube:
Knock Knock” (Flyers 2012 Playoff Anthem) – LiL LouiE C
this is the black guy version
“Knock Knock” (2012 Flyers Anthem)
I was saying to a buddy today, briere will be the offensive difference in the series because his line is more skilled than the 3rd line of the devils. Bryzgalov only needs to keep the team in the game, and make a couple timely saves. I it’s going to be may for their next game, smells like a shutout to me. Go flyers.
Congrat to the Flyers for toughing a win out, it wasn’t pretty but in the end, they protected the home Ice Advantage.. After the layoff and with their usualy slow start, they hung around long enough to get their legs back.. Game 2 is crucuial for the Devils to win if they want a chance to beat the confident Flyers… As long as Flyers can score 3-4 Goals verse Broduer, they should advance pretty easily since the Devils offense is not that strong and is not going to put the pressure on the flyers Defense and Bryz like the Penquins do… Eliminate the dunb penalties (like they did today) and the SPecial teams will be the difference… It’s nice to see JVR amped up and playing well and now gives the Flyers Scoring talent on all 3 lines which will be difficult for the Devils to match and could be the ultimate difference in the Series
1 down 3 to go. They have to stop giving up the first goal in every game, & stop letting in the cheap goals, because it is only a matter of time, before it comes back to bite them in the @$$. Bryz has to stop with these cheap goals. 2 more last night. I can’t take anymore of these nail biters, because I’m already down to the cuticle & it’s only the first game. LOL!
If we stay healthy the rest of the way, we can throw out 4 talented, deep lines. There’s isn’t anyone left in the playoffs, that can compete with our talent, but NYR. We have to root for them to get bounced, but that mutt Ovechkin, is a lazy Russian mutt, & hasn’t did much all year. So I can’t see them bouncing the NYR. If we advance to play them, it is going to be a hard task, because Henrik Lundqvist is a flat out beast in the net & they seem to have the Flyers number.
*There* LOL
11 more knock knock’s baby!
You still owe me $10 for that outrageous $#it you shovel about my flyboys, Paul. Keep your praise off my boards Capt Wishy Washy.
Flyers have an announcement coming at 5pm…..wonder who is out for the playoffs?
The 5 pm announcement was not roster related.