It took Ilya Kovalchuk until Game 2 to have an impact on this playoff series, but with 2 assists and and empty net goal that clinched the game for the Devils, Kovalchuk was a big reason this series is going back to Philly tied at 1-1.
In a game that saw the Devils play more physical like the Flyers usually do, Philadelphia’s powerplay kept them in this one, scoring twice, but they’ll probably wish they’d been even better. The Devils killed off 5 of their 7 penalties, and Zach Parise scored the game’s first goal with a shorthanded effort. The Flyers took a 2-1 lead to the 2nd period on goals from Arron Asham and Claude Giroux, but the Devils were quick to answer.
Colin White scored less than 4 minutes into the 2nd, with Kovalchuk recording his first point of the night on the assist. Ten minutes later, Andy Greene gave the Devils a 3-2 lead with a powerplay goal, assisted by Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias, who finished the night with 3 helpers of his own. Chris Pronger would set up a frantic 3rd period with his 2nd powerplay goal of the series, again crashing the net and banging home a loose puck.
The Flyers will likely be happy with their effort in the 3rd, but disappointed with the result. They outshot the Devils 10-6 in the final frame, but it was Dainius Zubrus that got the game winner, with a hard-nosed effort in front of the net. Kovalchuk iced the game with an empty net goal with 33 seconds to go.
Marty Brodeur was much better in this game, after making only 12 saves in the first one, stopping 26 of 29 Philadelphia shots, including a late save in the 2nd period that saved what was almost a crucial go-ahead goal for the Flyers. Brian Boucher continued to impress in net for the Flyers, making 28 saves.