Carter Hart Bounces Back In Flyers' 3-1 Win Over Devils
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Carter Hart made 33 saves and fourth-line forward Michael Raffl scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period in the Philadelphia Flyers' 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Captain Claude Giroux scored his first of the year and defenseman Nate Prosser had his first since April 2018 to help the Flyers sweep the two-game series in New Jersey against their Turnpike rivals.
Defenseman Damon Severson scored for New Jersey, and Scott Wedgewood made 14 saves. The Devils are without top goalie Mackenzie Blackwood after a positive COVID-19 test.
Hart, who broke his stick in frustration after giving up six goals to Boston over the weekend, was the difference in the first two periods, when the Devils outshot the Flyers 24-8.
The Flyers found their game in the third period, scoring twice on nine shots. Raffl broke a 1-all tie by poking the rebound of Connor Bunnaman's shot that hit the goalpost into an open net at 2:10.
Giroux made it 3-1 a little more than four minutes later, deflecting a point shot by Erik Gustafsson past Wedgewood, who was making his fourth straight start.
Severson gave the Devils with early lead with a great shot after a rush from his own end. Prosser, who spent last season in the AHL, scored on a rebound in close to tie the contest. The veteran was playing in his first NHL game since Jan. 17, 2019 with Minnesota.
MILESTONES
Lindy Ruff of the Devils coached in a 1,500th game in the NHL.
New Jersey center Travis Zajac played in his 998th regular-season game. The 15-year veteran, who has spent his entire career with the Devils, is expected to play in his 1,000th game on Sunday.
BRATT BACK
Jesper Bratt, who signed a new contract recently, played in his first game. He missed the first six after spending a week in Sweden getting his visa and then isolates after arriving in New Jersey. He played on the Devils top line with Jack Hughes and fellow Swede Andreas Johnsson.
UP NEXT
Flyers: Host New York Islanders on Saturday and Sunday.
Devils: At Buffalo on Saturday and Sunday.
