No, you didn’t read the title wrong. Flyers’ enforcer and agitator-in-chief, Daniel Carcillo scored the overtime winner in a thrilling finish to Game 3 of the Flyers-Devils series on Sunday. Philadelphia played heavily off the hometown crowd, and really outplayed the Devils in this one, outshooting them 34-19, but Martin Brodeur was up to his usual antics. Brodeur made 31 saves on just about everything he saw, but the Devils were unable to get enough offense together to down the upstart Flyers, who barely made the playoffs, but are now looking like they’re ready to make another run in the Eastern Conference.
The powerplays for both teams were very active, and the Devils converted 2 of 9 chances on the evening. Brian Rolston scored both goals for New Jersey, while Ilya Kovalchuk got helpers on both tallies. With one of the heaviest shots in the game, Rolston’s no stranger to playing the point on the powerplay, and he took full advantage on Sunday, blasting two shots through screens that beat Brian Boucher.
Claude Giroux scored a powerplay goal for the Flyers, who went 1 for 5 on the night, and at the end of each period, this game was tied. (1-1 after the first, 2-2 after the 2nd and 3rd) Carcillo played a role in the Flyers’ 2nd goal, as well, as the Flyers’ forecheck produced effectively. Simon Gagne got good pressure on a dump-in and forced a turnover, which Carcillo quickly dished out front to Mike Richards, who banged it home. In overtime, it was pressure from the Flyers again that produced the winner, as a scrum down low gave Mike Richards time to bang a shot through the crease where Carcillo was waiting to bury it in the open net before Brodeur even knew it was behind him.
The Devils are in a virtual must-win situation on Tuesday, as they do not want to fall behind this tough Philly team3-1, but they’ll have their work cut out for them. The crowd in Philly loves their team, and is tough to knock out at the best of times.