Devils down Flyers

By Angelo Saggiomo
The Phanatic Magazine

Martin Brodeur made 14 saves and earned his 45th win of the season as New Jersey downed Philadelphia, 3-1, at Continental Airlines Arena.

Michael Rupp, Travis Zajac and Jay Pandolfo each scored for the Devils, who have already clinched a playoff berth and have won three of their last four games.

New Jersey moved into a tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins atop the Atlantic Division. Both clubs each have 100 points with four games remaining.

Simon Gagne tallied the lone goal for the Flyers, who have dropped five of six. Martin Biron stopped 21 of the 23 shots he faced in defeat.

"It's tough to give up two goals at the end of the period, especially in this building," Biron said.

After a scoreless first period, New Jersey took a 1-0 lead when Rupp tipped in the puck with 1:20 left in the period. Brad Lukowich and Andy Green notched assists on the goal.

Then, just 70 seconds later, Zajac tallied on the power play with a six-foot backhander, following assists from Zach Parise and Brian Rafalski.

Philadelphia finally got on the scoreboard at the 14:03 mark in the third on Gagne's 23-foot slap shot. Mike Knuble and Joni Pitkanen setup the goal with assists.

Pandolfo added an empty-netter with 15.6 seconds remaining in regulation to account for the final margin of victory.

The Flyers finished 0-for-3 on the man advantage.