Devils drop Game One 2-1

The Philadelphia Flyers outdeviled the Devils last night with a 2-1 win at the Rock in Game one of the Eastern Quarterfinals.
The Devils only goal was scored in the third by Travis Zajac.
Game two is Friday at the Rock in what is now a must win for the Devils...

Hell Raisers

1) The Flyers played Devils Hockey better than the Devils did as they shut them down defensively,didn't allow the Devils to get to the net and most of all allowed no rebounds against Brian Boucher.
I don't think the Devils played poorly,but the Flyers played better.

2) An example of this was the first goal when Brian Rolston was unable to even budge Chris Pronger in the crease.
Now one could fairly say that Rolston cannot be expected to clear Pronger in that situation,but why was it Rolston and not a stronger defenseman?

3) The eventual game winner by Mike Richards was on a bad call.
Richards goal should have been negated as there were six Flyers on the ice.
Philly deserved the win,but it still sucks to lose by a goal that should not have counted.

4) The Devils power play was inept in going 0 for 5 and tossing six minutes of PP time away including four of those on a double minor.
Too much looking for the perfect pass and not enough shooting and crashing the net.
This has been a criticism of mine for years and it raises its head again at the worst time....

5) Ilya Kovalchuk didn't score a point and misfired a shot that seemed to have frozen Boucher.
Kovalchuk angrily smacked the glass as he left the ice,but that is what I hoped to see from Kovalchuk-Intensity.
Despite his lack of production,I was pleased to see his effort in the defeat.

6) Key play?Braden Coburn knocking the net off when it seemed the Devils were about to score in the third period.
Coburn was called for a penalty,but the Devils could not take advantage.
Big swing there....

7) The Flyer fans seemed especially loud tonight with the constant "Booosh" for Brian Boucher.
I often root for visiting teams when I attend,so that doesn't bother me.
Root for who you want,but it does bug me that the Flyer and Ranger fan are so loud at the Rock.

Will try to be back later with a look at the Pirates 6-0 loss to the Giants.

Photo Credit-Andy Marlin:Getty Images