Flyers snap Devils’ streak

McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

PHILADELPHIA — A lot had changed since the Flyers crushed the New Jersey Devils by three goals in the second game of the season.

The Flyers won more games than they lost, had plenty of days off, and entered Monday night’s contest in fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

The Devils? They were only off to the second-greatest road winning streak to start an NHL season and looking to tie the record with a trip to the Wachovia Center.

But just like the season began, the Flyers scored a statement victory against their rivals to the north. The Flyers snapped New Jersey’s nine-game road winning streak with a 3-2 victory.

Ray Emery stopped 33 shots — only eight in the third as the Flyers’ defense prevented the Devils from any sustained pressure besides a Zach Parise goal with 0.6 seconds left.

James van Riemsdyk scored the decisive goal for the Flyers midway through the third, cashing in on a Martin Brodeur turnover.

With the road record in the Devils’ sight, the Flyers did not allow New Jersey to get a quick start. Just 44 seconds into the second period, the Flyers already led, 2-0.

Brodeur was peppered in the first, facing 15 shots, including a late flurry that resulted in a cross-checking penalty by New Jersey’s Andy Green with 6.5 seconds left in the period.

Before the fans had returned to their seats for the second period, the No. 2 power play unit in the league converted on that opportunity.

Scott Hartnell took a pass from Mike Richards in front of Brodeur and tried to pass to Claude Giroux, who was standing on the doorstep. But the puck hit Devils defenseman Mike Mottau and bounced past Brodeur for a two-goal Flyers lead.

But late in the second, three straight penalties assessed to the Flyers within a span of four minutes opened the door for a Devils comeback. The New Jersey power play, one of the reasons the Devils have been so proficient on the road, was not about to be denied that many times.

Twenty-four seconds after Richards was called for tripping, David Clarkson scored on a two-man advantage for New Jersey.

It could have been worse for the Flyers. Entering the game, the Devils had the third-best power play on the road.

Just like the teams’ first meeting in the second game of the season, the Flyers held a 1-0 advantage after 20 minutes.

Each team had plenty of first-period chances, and Emery was forced to make 14 first-period saves, including a few on dangerous scrambles in front of the cage.

In an attempt to get more offensive production out of Giroux, Flyers coach John Stevens moved the 21-year-old back to the center position, where he had started the season. While playing right wing on Richards’ line, Giroux had scored just one goal.

Promptly, Giroux made a play that paid off 7 minutes, 11 seconds into the first period. He took a pass from Arron Asham and flipped a backhanded pass from the slot to an open Darroll Powe. Powe easily beat Brodeur for the game’s first score.

It was Powe’s third goal in five games. And it was quick assurance that the Flyers would not be the victims of Brodeur’s 103d career shutout, a mark that would have tied Terry Sawchuck’s NHL record.

The Devils have played well from behind all season — mostly because of Brodeur — with a 6-2 mark after allowing the first goal in games.