PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers were eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday night; on Saturday, they played as though they were told to pack their bags and get out of town, and did!
Mackenzie Blackwood #29 and Kevin Bahl #88 of the New Jersey Devils, Kevin Hayes #13 and Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Mackenzie Blackwood made 31 saves and the New Jersey Devils took a 4-1 win over the Flyers.
“[Blackwood] was a big reason we were able to gain some momentum inside some of the periods,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. “We had a number of shifts where we got trapped inside our own zone, we were on the ropes, and made a few mistakes. But he covered those mistakes up for us.”
Joel Farabee scored a lipstick goal for the Flyers late in the fial frame.
“I think it was all around a really good team effort,” New Jersey’s Nico Hischier said. “We’re battling out there and we finally got rewarded. It feels good to win games. It’s more fun, obviously.”
Jesper Bratt opened the scoring in the game to give the Devils a 1-0 lead.
“We’re all getting into the games now, figuring out a way how to win games,” Bratt said. “We had a lot of blocked shots. We really came together the last couple games as a group, creating a winning mentality.”
Janne Kuokkanen and Hischier pushed the lead to 3-0.
“It was a big moment in the game (Hischier’s goal),” Ruff said. “Obviously, we were looking for a big kill for momentum. Part of the big kill was him making the play he made and getting us that shorthanded goal.”
Yegor Sharangovich also scored for the Devils.
“In these games coming up, we got to grow together, learn from our mistakes,” Hischier said. “It’s just exciting to be part of this and play with these guys, but right now we’re looking forward to finish the season strong and learn a lot.”
Brian Elliott made 17 saves in the loss.
“When you’re indecisive or not sure, it tends to not turn out well,” Elliott said. “I think if we trust our instincts and go with the first play and make it hard, even if it’s the wrong play, if you do it hard, it usually works out. I think we just need to be a little bit more decisive and try not to be in between what you’re thinking out there.”
Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers is score on in the third period
Goalie Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers gets ready to cover the rebound in front on Yegor Sharangovich #17 of the New Jersey Devils
Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils controls the puck against Defenseman Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Jakub Voracek #93 of the Philadelphia Flyers shot is stick checked by Yegor Sharangovich #17 of the New Jersey Devils
Kevin Bahl #88 of the New Jersey Devils checks Joel Farabee #86 of the Philadelphia Flyers off the puck.
Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils protects his net as Joel Farabee #86 of the Philadelphia Flyers attempts to score.
Sean Couturier #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers swats at the loose puck in front of the New Jersey Devils goaltender.
Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers controls the puck against Mikhail Maltsev #23 of the New Jersey Devils
Kevin Bahl #88 of the New Jersey Devils and Wade Allison #57 of the Philadelphia Flyers battle for the puck.
Shayne Gostisbehere #53 of the Philadelphia Flyers and Michael McLeod #20 of the New Jersey Devils chase down the loose puck.
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