PHILADELPHIA – The New Jersey Devils bolted to a 2-0 lead over the Flyers on Monday night and then took the rest of the season off, in a 4-2 loss.
Joel Farabee #86 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores his second goal of the game against the New Jersey Devils during the third period
It was the final game of the season for both teams.
“We fueled Philly’s offense by throwing some pucks in the middle as we crossed the blue line,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. “We didn’t play a 200-foot game. I thought once we got the puck down low we generated some good opportunities. But you have to take away from that how important it is to put the puck in the right place at key times in a game.”
Brian Elliott made 23 saves in the win.
James van Riemsdyk scored the game-winner in the third period.
“He’s someone you could tell that wants to be a player and wants to do what it takes for the next steps in your career,” van Riemsdyk said. “Not too surprised to see him have the jump that he had from last year to this year. Not many guys come into the League as 19-year-olds like he did. He has a ton of potential and he had a great step forward this year and I’m sure he’s hungry to take another step next year.”
The Devils’ Pavel Zacha and Janne Kuokkanen scored in the first period.
“When the puck was in the air I saw him go backdoor and I just hoped he’d stay there,” New Jersey’s Nico Hischier said. “It was lucky. That’s a good thing we know where we’re at. ‘Pav’ read it well that I’m going to give it backdoor and he was right there.”
The Flyers reeled off four straight goals starting and ending with Joel Farabee, who notched two markers.
“Going into the season I never really expected it [20 goals] to happen,” Farabee said. “Personally, I’m proud of myself. I put a lot of work in the summer working on my game, so it feels good that it paid off.”
Sean Couturier also scored for Philadelphia.
Scott Wedgewood made 27 saves in the loss.
“We had a really good first period, then we started to not manage the puck anymore,” Hischier said. “We had poor puck decisions. The game slipped away from us.”
James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores the go ahead goal in the third period against the Michael Vukojevic # of the New Jersey Devils
Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils shot is deflected by the sticks of Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers
Scott Laughton #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers moves in to assist his goaltender Brian Elliott #37 as he stops a shot by Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils
Wade Allison #57 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks for the puck to settle after deflecting off GoalieScott Wedgewood #41 of the New Jersey Devils
Philadelphia Flyers Travis Sanheim #6 and Goalie Brian Elliott #37 protect the net from Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils
Scott Wedgewood #41 of the New Jersey Devils makes a kick save.
Philadelphia Flyers President and General Manager presents Philadelphia Flyers Goaltender Brian Elliott with a silver goalie stick in commemoration of his 500th NHL game.
Philadelphia Flyers Captain Claude Giroux presents Goalie Brian Elliott and his family with a Rolex watch in commemoration of his 500th NHL game
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