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Devils host Flyers in Atlantic Division showdown

Oct 14, 2006 - 3:33 PM Philadelphia (1-2-1) at New Jersey (2-1-0) 7:30 pm EDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils came out of no where to steal the Atlantic Division crown last season. The Philadelphia Flyers want some revenge.

The Devils hope to carry momentum from a thrilling win when they host the Flyers on Saturday in the first meeting this season between the division rivals.

New Jersey went on an incredible run down the stretch last season, winning its last 11 regular-season games to pass Philadelphia and the New York Rangers en route to the division title.

Brodeur was shaky in the Devils' home opener Thursday, stopping just 24 shots and yielding a career-worst five goals in the second period.

But Brian Gionta recorded a natural hat trick in the third period and John Madden scored the game-winner in the shootout session to lift New Jersey to a wild 7-6 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Madden also scored a pair of goals and registered an assist for the Devils, who won all four of their home games against the Flyers last season.

Philadelphia enters Saturday's contest in search of a cure for its recent woes on the power play. The Flyers failed to convert on all eight of their man-advantage opportunities in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

R.J. Umberger scored the lone goal for the Flyers, who are just 3-for-32 on the power play this season.