Thursday, March 14, 2013

Devils dominate Flyers in 5-2 win.

The New Jersey Devils burst out of the gate with three first period goals and never looked back as the Devils took a 5-2 decision over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Rock.
Adam Henrique scored two goals (8 and 9 powerplay) to pace the victory for New Jersey.
Ilya Kovalchuk (10 shorthanded),Patrik Elias (9) and Andrei Loktionov (4) also scored for the Devils,who received a strong game from Johan Hedberg with 23 saves.
The same two teams will hook em' up Friday night in Philadelphia...

Hell Raisers

1) A solid all around game from the Devils,who appeared emboldened by the win over Winnipeg.
The Devils had more zip than the Flyers and yet was able to ignore the usual instigators that use less than clean tactics and stay out of the penalty box.
Good discipline...

2) Johan Hedberg was strong in goal,especially in the first period,where he made several saves that kept the Flyers off kilter.
That period ranks among the best that Hedberg has played all season...

3) Ilya Kovalchuk scored his league leading fourth shorthanded goal of the season.
At one time,when the NHL had a team in Atlanta,Kovalchuk's defense could not be trusted to kill penalties and it still is not ideal.
However,the explosive burst that Kovalchuk can give shorthanded makes the risk well worth the reward...

4) Adam Henrique popped in two goals and an assist and continued his solid play.
Henrique always plays with high effort and his game is a nice combination of grit and skill.

5) The Devils signed the 62 goal man to a contract as the team signed Reid Boucher to an entry level deal.
Boucher broke the Sarnia Sting (Canadian Junior) record for goals previously held by Steven Stamkos.
Boucher will stay in Sarnia for the playoffs and likely play for the AHL Albany Devils next season..

6) Of all the highlights of this game,the best might have been the Andrei Loktionov toe dragger.
If Loktionov is capable of those types of moves,the Devils just might have another Lou Lamoriello steal on their hands...

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