Brayden Schenn celebrates after scoring the game-winner in overtime in the Flyers 3-2 win against the New Jersey Devils. (Photo Courtesy of PhiladelphiaFlyers.com)
For the Philadelphia Flyers to close out a six-game road trip with a win, it would require another third-period comeback. The Flyers didn't disappoint.
A pair of goals by the Flyers top line from Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell put the Flyers in front, and appeared to stand up in front of Ray Emery, who recovered from an early goal.
But the New Jersey Devils fought off a late Flyers power play and would score with Martin Brodeur pulled and shorthanded to tie the game and force overtime.
A close call on the Flyers end – a shot off the post by Stephen Gionta – nearly ended the game, but the Flyers took over the other way. Nick Grossmann faked a shot and passed down low to Brayden Schenn who buried the game-winner to end the Flyers road-trip with a win, 3-2, at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
On the first shift of the game, the Flyers gave up a goal. Jaromir Jagr threaded the needle on a pass through the slot to find Adam Henrique for the opening goal just 57 seconds in. It was Jagr's 1,723rd point, tying him with Mario Lemieux on the all-time list.
For two periods, the Flyers were generally lifeless, managing just 16 shots on Brodeur. In the third, the Flyers would fire 11 shots Brodeur's way.
The first came at 5:18 of the third on a Flyers power play. Giroux fired a shot from the point that made its way through a screen for his 13th goal of the season. Just over four minutes later, Hartnell raced up the left boards and fired a shot past Brodeur to give the Flyers the lead.
With less than two minutes to play, the Flyers appeared to be in good shape to hold the lead and claim the victory, as Travis Zajac was called for a high-sticking penalty on Giroux. But with the goalie pulled, Marik Zidlicky found Michael Ryder alone in front of the net to easily score the tying goal with 29.6 seconds remaining.
That forced overtime where the Flyers dodged a bullet with a Gionta shot off the inside of the post just seconds before the Flyers completed a rush up ice with a brilliant fake by Grossmann to find Brayden Schenn in front for the game-winner at 1:50 of overtime.
The Flyers ended the six-game road trip with a 5-1 records, including four come-from-behind wins.
They finally return home tomorrow to face the Montreal Canadiens.
Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
