Devils Vs. Flyers, Game 4: New Jersey Dominates Again, Takes 3-1 Series Lead

Claude Giroux Faces Possible Suspension For Dainius Zubrus Hit

Claude Giroux could be suspended for his hit on Devils forward Dainius Zubrus.

Flyers Vs. Devils, Game 4: Another Dominant N.J. Performance Pushes Philly To Brink

Martin Brodeur celebrated his 40th birthday quietly Sunday night. as his New Jersey teammates dominated the visiting Flyers in taking a stranglehold 3-1 series lead.

Flyers Vs. Devils, Game 4 Final Score: New Jersey Holds Philly Back Again, Takes 3-1 Series Lead

The New Jersey Devils sat back a bit in the third period, but ultimately the Philadelphia Flyers still failed to generate anything resembling an offensive attack, and the result was a 4-2 Devils victory in Game 4. They lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinal series, 3-1, and can wrap things up in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Philly.

Ilya Bryzgalov kept his team in the game, making 39 saves overall as the Devils dominated control of the puck and zone time throughout the game. Philadelphia has struggled in just about every regard against the Devils since their Game 1 victory as the Devils have executed their game plan almost flawlessly.

They've been hard on the forecheck, pinning the Flyers defense in deep and keeping the puck away from them. It's given the Flyers fits when they try to break out of their own end, and they haven't been able to establish any type of offensive rhythm as a result. That's been true for much of the series, it was true again on Sunday night, and if it's true in Game 5, the Devils will be off to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Flyers Vs. Devils, Game 4 Score: New Jersey Leads, But Ilya Bryzgalov Keeping Philly Alive

It's safe to say that after approximately eight periods of getting thoroughly dominated by the New Jersey Devils, the Philadelphia Flyers are a bit frustrated. They've taken dumb penalties and it's at the point now where not only are the Devils controlling the play physically, they're controlling the Flyers mentally as well.

New Jersey has outshot Philadelphia 32-12 through two periods in Game 4, and if it weren't for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, this game would likely be out of hand. The Devils hold the 3-2 lead where it counts, thanks to Dainius Zubrus goal late in the second.

Zubrus flubbed a puck on an initial two-on-one chance with Ilya Kovalchuk, but he was lost in defensive coverage and wound up with a wide open chance in front of Bryzgalov. It's safe to say the Philadelphia defense owes their goaltender a nice dinner, because without him, their season would be essentially over at this point.

VIDEO: Claude Giroux Hit On Dainius Zubrus; Suspension Worthy?

Flyers Vs. Devils, Game 4 Score: New Jersey Erases Philly's 2-0 Lead

The Philadelphia Flyers probably didn't deserve the 2-0 lead. The New Jersey Devils made sure they didn't have it for long.

After being dominated for the first 10 minutes of Game 4 by the strong, aggressive forecheck of the Devils, the Flyers used a power play goal from Scott Hartnell and a shorthanded goal from Claude Giroux to jump out to a 2-0 lead, despite losing nearly every puck battle to date in the game.

Giroux's shorthanded goal came off a rush after the Flyers actually won one of those puck battles. Max Talbot fed Giroux the puck at the blueline, and he skated in on goal, made a move and put the puck just barely over the leg of Martin Brodeur.

Marek Zidlicky was in the box during the Flyers first goal, but he made up for it on each of the Devils two goals. First, he was credited with the primary assist on Petr Sykora's power play goal at the 15:14 mark, and then Zidlicky tied the game at the 18:09 mark as the Devils continued to keep up the pressure.

They blew their timeout, they blew their lead and they've been completely out-classed by their opponent in the first 20 minutes of this game. The Flyers may have held a 2-0 lead, but they're lucky to even be in the mix in Game 4 after the first period of play.

For more on the Devils, check in with In Lou We Trust, and for more on the Flyers, check in with Broad Street Hockey.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Devils Vs. Flyers Game 4: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The New Jersey Devils will host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. The Devils enter Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 2-1 series lead.