WHAT IT MEANS: Who needs Kovy?
Zach Parise was stopped all alone in front, but David Clarkson put in the rebound for his first goal of the playoffs with 8:43 remaining, giving the Devils a 2-1 lead en route to a 4-1 victory over the Flyers in Game 2 at Wells Fargo Center. The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series is tied at 1-1.
The Devils scored all four of their goals in the third period, and their penalty kill held the Flyers' power play scoreless in five opportunities. Philadelphia is now 1-for-11 on the man-advantage in the series.
Starting his 179th straight playoff game, Martin Brodeur made 19 saves to secure his 104th career postseason victory. New Jersey outshot Philadelphia 35-20.
DEBUTANT: Dressing in his first NHL playoff game, rookie defenseman Adam Larsson scored his first postseason goal to knot the game 3:08 into the third period. The 19-year-old took a drop pass from Dainus Zubrus and went top shelf, glove side from the right circle to make it 1-1. It was the first goal by a Devils defenseman this playoffs.
TOP DOG: Travis Zajac's team-leading fifth goal of the playoffs -- on a backhand wraparound -- put New Jersey ahead by two with 5:59 left.
DROUGHT OVER: Bryce Salvador tallied a short-handed goal into an empty net to put the game away with 2:51 remaining. It was his first marker since March 20, 2010, a span of 100 games.
READ IT AND WEEP: Matt Read opened the scoring just 2:53 in, tallying from an impossible angle with Brodeur caught out of position.
0-FOR-12: The Devils outshot the Flyers 12-0 over the first 18:33 of the second period, but had nothing to show for it. Steve Bernier had New Jersey's best chance in the frame, but his shot in front was stopped by Ryan Carter's skate.
NO KOVY: Ilya Kovalchuk missed Game 2 due to a lower-body injury. The Devils say he is day to day. Kovalchuk's injury forced some serious line shuffling. Hybrid skater Peter Harrold moved from defense to the wing, while Larsson was inserted into the lineup. Here were the opening lines/pairings:
Parise-Elias-Clarkson
Sykora-Zajac-Zubrus
Ponikarovsky-Henrique-Bernier
Carter-Gionta-Harrold
Greene-Fayne
Salvador-Zidlicky
Volchenkov-Larsson
UP NEXT: Game 3 on Thursday night at Prudential Center