Koval-chuk the puck by Bobrovsky, Devils win 4-1

Adam Henrique skates with Brayden Schenn
on his back

It was a "Sunday Funday" for New Jersey. The ever so scrutinized Ilya Kovalchuk should have changed the minds of all Devils fans this year. Fans had focused on his $100,000,000 salary last year compared to his production, and he was even booed at times. It was really just a matter of time until he got his confidence back and began to be comfortable in his new hometown. Sunday, Kovalchuk was the story of the game, once again, with three points including a beautiful, no-look assist to Anton Volchenkov. His play is explosive, exciting, thrilling, and can change the game at any time.


The Flyers rested their red hot goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov, otherwise known as Mr. Universe from HBO's 24/7 series. Back-up Sergei Bobrovsky got the nod.


The game was the usual Devils-Flyers flow of hockey. Philadelphia has a history of being rough, in which has picked them up the nickname Broad Street Bullies. They out-hit the Devils 36-17 on the game. Although, the Devils had a total of 10 takeaways compared to the Flyers' lonely one takeaway.

Kovalchuk celebrates goal with Volchenkov

Very Late in the first period, Braydon Coburn of Philly, took a slashing, minor penalty. The Devils' power-play has been hot lately, and chased Coburn out of the penalty box early with a goal from Patrik Elias. Assisted by David Clarkson and Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils left the period with momentum and a 1-0 lead. 


No goals were scored in the second, preparing the third period to be a dandy.

Claude Giroux celebrates goal

The third period was underway at "The Rock" and the Flyers were jumpy. 16 seconds into the last period and 80 point-getter, Claude Giroux, brought the game even again. Jaromir Jagr had posession of the puck from center ice all the way to the Devils' red-line. One pass to team-star Giroux, in front, and the game was tied. Very soon after, Captain Parise battled very hard on the boards, which is nothing but the regular, and chipped a lob pass which banked off the boards and was taken by Kovalchuk. Ilya had a 2-on-1 with defenseman Anton Volchenkov. Bobrovsky came to the top of the crease expecting a shot from Kovalchuk, along with everyone in the building, I assume. Volchenkov is anything but a goal scorer, but despite that, Kovy dished the puck to Volchenkov who tapped it into the net. 2-1 Devils! Later, Adam Henrique had a sudden breakaway which was legged-out by Bobrovsky. Henrique stayed on the puck and gave it to Marek Zidlicky. Zidlicky had his shot blocked, ending up with the puck on circling Ilya Kovalchuk's stick. Kovy shelved the puck and scored the teams third goal of the night. Even after that, the Devils added one more tally to make it 4-1. When Zach Parise gets the puck in front of the net, his determination takes over as he battles ferociously for the goal. The Devs' fourth goal was scored in that fashion.


In the end of the night, the two teams were tied with 85 points, standing in 5th in the Eastern Conference. Devils are getting hot!