The New Jersey Devils came into Philadelphia with a four point lead on the Flyers in the standings. On the strength of two power play goals and solid goaltending from Cory Schneider, they extended it five points with a 2-1 overtime win on Saturday.
The Flyers were very sluggish to begin the game. New Jersey won every puck battle and every race to the loose pucks. It would pay off when Nick Schultz took an interference penalty at 6:01.
Joseph Blandisi scored his fourth of the season just 42 seconds later. Blandisi tok a between the legs shot in tight and was able to beat Michal Neuvirth. Travis Zajac and Jacob Josefson picked up the assists.
The Flyers would get their chance with the man advantage at the 8:51 when John Moore was called for cross checking. The Flyers had good puck possesion but could not get any chances on Cory Schneider.
The period ended with New Jersey holding an 8-2 shots on goal advantage and a 1-0 lead.
The Flyers got their skating legs thanks in part to an early second period play. Joseph Blandisi got called for hooking at 4:06. The Flyers did not score on the power play but did use it to build some momentum. They held the puck deep in the Devils end for a solid two and a half minutes folliwing the conclusion of the penalty.
The teams played back forth over the final ten minutes of the period but neither team was able to get one in and the teams went to the locker room with New Jersey holding a 1-0 lead.
The Flyers got an early power play chance when Sergey Kalinin took a double minor for high sticking on Cluade Giroux. Just 45 seconds later Wayne Simmonds was called for interference setting up some four on four hockey.
Once the Flyers got back to the man advantage, it was Shayne Gostisbehere time. Th rookie blueliner tied the game with his 10th goal of the season at 3:49. Giroux picked up the lone assist. The goal extended Gostisbehere's point scoring streak to 11 games setting a new franchise record for most consecutive games with a point by a rookie.
The remainder of the period saw good chances by both teams but neither was able to score and the game went to overtime tied 1-1.
In the overtime each team exchanged chances before Jakub Voracek took a hooking penalty with 2:29 left. New Jersey capitalized on the power play. Adam Henrique scored at 2:58 of the extra session to give the Devils a 2-1 victory.
The Flyers are in action next on Sunday when they travel to New York for a battle with the Rangers.
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill @wtfd103074
