Devils Top Flyers 3-0, End 10-Game Winless Streak
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Martin Brodeur stopped 23 shots for his 121st career shutout to keep New Jersey's slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.
Ryan Carter, Matt D'Agostini and Adam Henrique scored goals to help the Devils snap their 10 game winless streak (0-6-4).
The Devils entered the game eight points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They have five games left and need a lot of help to even think about a postseason berth. For one more night, at least, the Devils still have hope.
Brodeur wasn't seriously tested all game but did enough to earn his second shutout of the season. He got his 11th career shutout vs. the Flyers.
Neither team came out playing with the passion expected in a game badly needed to keep even a scant chance at playing for the Stanley Cup alive. The teams combined for six shots in the first 12 minutes of a plodding first period.
The Devils broke through in the second period when Carter's wrister beat Ilya Bryzgalov for his fifth goal of the season. Carter took a nice centering pass from Stephen Gionta to beat the Flyers on a 2-on-1 break.
His goal ended a New Jersey scoring drought that stretched just over 146 minutes. The Devils lost consecutive 2-0 games coming into Philadelphia.
Jakub Voracek had a potential tying goal waved off when a video review confirmed he kicked the puck into the net.
Bryzgalov kept it 1-0 after the puck shot off the post and knocked off his right skate before he smothered it just outside the crease.
Even with the sweet save, the Flyers couldn't build any momentum or generate offense against Brodeur.
The save came only moments after New Jersey's Andy Green flattened Scott Hartnell from behind and into the boards. The fans howled in protest for a whistle, but there was no penalty. The hit was replayed a few times on the big screen, which only made the fans more irate a boarding call was missed.
D'Agostini scored his third goal of the season when he slapped one past Bryzgalov late in the third.
Henrique added an empty-netter in the final minutes.
The Devils played without captain Bryce Salvador (right wrist) and Ilya Kovalchuk (right shoulder). The Devils hadn't won since Kovalchuk was injured on March 23. Kovalchuk is still second on the Devils with 27 points.
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