Flyers ride first period outburst to win over Devils

PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers used a three-goal first period to cruise past the New Jersey Devils Saturday, 3-1.

Travis Konecny, Valtteri Filppula and Ivan Provorov struck in the big first period as the Flyers won their sixth in the last seven games.

Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers against Defenseman Damon Severson (#28) of the New Jersey Devils

“We played a really strong game,” Konecny said. “We came out really hot, and that’s what we need to keep doing.”

Jesper Bratt scored the lone goal for the Devils.

“You stake yourself to a 3-0 deficit, it’s hard to come back. Teams are going to win a lot of those games. It’s just about our start and keeping ourselves in it on the road,” the Devils’ Taylor Hall said after the loss.

Despite the lack of offense after the first 13 minutes, the Flyers managed to clamp down on the defensive side of their game.

“Our team has been confident playing with leads. We went through the stretch in November where we couldn’t get it right. But beyond that I felt like our group is continuing to grow in that area. … I thought our third period, especially as we went town the stretch, was sound, was solid, and everyone was doing their part,” Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol said after the win.

Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers makes a save.

[WATCH: All Devils vs. Flyers highlights]

Keith Kinkaid got the start for the Devils but left the game with injury after giving up the third goal in the frame.

Ken Appleby, called up from Albany of the AHL relieved Kincaid and made 24 saves.

“I felt good in there,” Appleby,said. “Little nervous at the start. Once I started getting some shots it felt good.”

The Flyers were unable to make a dent in the scoreboard after the goalie change.

“I thought Ken came in and did a good job,” Devils head coach John Hynes said. “We had lots of opportunities to score, couldn’t find a way to put it in the net. … I thought we were in the game all the way through, just couldn’t find a way to put the second or third one in.”

Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers is congratulated by his teammates for his 100th NHL win.

Center Valtteri Filppula (#51) of the Philadelphia Flyers goes for the puck against Defenseman Damon Severson (#28) of the New Jersey Devils

Goalie Ken Appleby (#55) of the New Jersey Devils makes a save in his first NHL game.

Goalie Ken Appleby (#55) of the New Jersey Devils and Left Wing Michael Raffl (#12) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Center Travis Zajac (#19) and Goalie Ken Appleby (#55) of the New Jersey Devils and Left Wing Michael Raffl (#12) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Goalie Ken Appleby (#55) and Defenseman Ben Lovejoy (#12) of the New Jersey Devils, Center Sean Couturier (#14) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Goalie Ken Appleby (#55) looks around Defenseman Ben Lovejoy (#12) of the New Jersey Devils as he ttys to clear Center Sean Couturier (#14) of the Philadelphia Flyers from in front of the goal.

Defenseman Robert Haag (#8) of the Philadelphia Flyers, Center Travis Zajac (#19) of the New Jersey Devils and Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers.