Flyers at Devils
THE STORY: After the Philadelphia Flyers' potent power play went limp during two overtime opportunities in Game 3, the New Jersey Devils took advantage of a poorly executed line change to seize a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Alexei Ponikarovsky netted the winner as the Devils skated to a 4-3 triumph on Thursday. Future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur will look to celebrate his 40th birthday in style when the teams reconvene at the Prudential Center on Sunday.
TV: 7:30 p.m., NBCS, CBC
ABOUT THE FLYERS: After recording a franchise-record 12 power-play goals while dispatching Keystone State rival Pittsburgh in the conference quarterfinals, Philadelphia has converted just two of 16 opportunities with the man advantage against New Jersey. "We did get one (in Game 3), certainly we would have liked to generate more chances in that overtime period, but we didn't get the looks," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "They play an aggressive style. They had a good year on the penalty kill. ... Specialty teams factors into the games, and wins and losses. It gets its due attention." The Garden State residents posted an 89.53 percent efficiency rating while shorthanded this season, eclipsing the post-expansion NHL mark of the 1999-2000 Dallas Stars (89.25 percent).
ABOUT THE DEVILS: Ilya Kovalchuk made his presence felt on Thursday after sitting out Game 2 with a herniated disc in his back. The talented Russian collected a goal and two assists - with his final point coming after he set up Ponikarovsky on a stretch pass in overtime. Kovalchuk (four goal, five assists) has nine points in the postseason, tying him for the team lead with Travis Zajac (five goals, four assists). As for Brodeur, he took a shot at his own expense as the team prepared for Game 4. "Do they accept 40-year-olds out there?" he asked. Needless to say, Brodeur will be on the ice Sunday.
OVERTIME:
1. Philadelphia stud Claude Giroux dominated the first round, but is finding the sailing a bit rougher against New Jersey. "I know I've gotta step it up," said Giroux, who is a minus-3 in the series. "I know I've gotta be a better player. I'm aware of that. I've just gotta find a way."
2. New Jersey has played in four overtime contests in its last five games. The Devils have won three of the overtime matches.