PHILADELPHIA -- The New Jersey Devils scored four goals in the third period, overcoming what was shaping up to be a dominant effort from Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov en route to a 4-1 beatdown in Philadelphia in Game 2. The win evens up the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinal at 1-1 as the teams head up the New Jersey Turnpike for Game 3 on Thursday evening.
Matt Read opened the scoring for Philadelphia just 2:53 into the game, and it seemed like the Flyers were on their way to controlling the majority of another game. But after the goal, Philly seemed to sit back, allowing the Devils the opportunity to get back into the game with several chances in the latter half of the third period.
It didn't pay off for New Jersey in the second period as Bryzgalov turned aside all 12 shots that came his way. It looked as though the goaltender might have become the difference for the listless Flyers in the game, but New Jersey kept coming in the third period. A breakdown by the Philly forwards in a 4-on-4 situation allowed Adam Larsson a great chance to tie the game, which he did on a shot that beat Bryzgalov over the glove-hand shoulder.
Goals from David Clarkson and Travis Zajac opened the Devils lead to 3-1 as New Jersey kept pressing and Philadelphia kept sitting back, and although the Flyers were given a power play at the 15:35 mark, they couldn't take advantage as Bryce Salvador bounced a puck all the way down the ice and into an empty net.
4-1 Devils. Good night, Flyers. It's a new series, all tied up.
We have full coverage of Game 2 between the Flyers and Devils in our StoryStream. For more on the Flyers, check in with Broad Street Hockey, and for more on the Devils, check in with In Lou We Trust.