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Devils score three in third to top Flyers

Mar 12, 2012 - 4:04 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Ilya Kovalchuk registered a goal and two assists, spearheading New Jersey's offense in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the opener of a home-and-home series.

Zach Parise and Patrik Elias both scored a power-play goal and collected an assist for New Jersey, which extended its winning streak to four games while snapping Philadelphia's run of success at five games.

"I thought we did a pretty good job defensively, didn't give them too many opportunities," Parise said.

With Sunday's triumph, the Devils tied Philadelphia for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Martin Brodeur picked up his 650th career win by stopping 18 shots.

Sergei Bobrovsky returned between the pipes for the Flyers and gave up four goals on 31 shots. The second-year netminder made his first appearance since February 18. Ilya Bryzgalov had started the previous 11 games.

Philadelphia's Claude Giroux tied it at 1-1 off a nice behind-the-net feed from Jaromir Jagr 16 seconds into the third period.

"After that goal, I thought we were going to get the momentum back," Giroux said.

But that wasn't the case.

Anton Volchenkov put the Devils back on top when he buried a pass from Kovalchuk on a 2-on-1 rush at 2:45.

Kovalchuk then potted his 30th goal of the season at 8:08 and Parise capped the scoring with 5:41 remaining.

Elias converted on a power play late in the first period to put New Jersey on the board. The veteran forward carried the puck through the neutral zone and across the Philadelphia blue line before directing David Clarkson's return feed past Bobrovsky with 25 seconds remaining.

Game Notes

Kovalchuk's next goal will be the 400th of his career...Giroux matched his career high for goals in a season with 25...The road team had won the previous four games in the season series...The clubs will complete the home-and-home set Tuesday in Philadelphia...Bobrovsky last started on February 12 at Detroit...New Jersey finished 2-for-5 on the power play...The Flyers had been perfect killing penalties in their past six games.