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Devils attempt to bounce back against Flyers

Oct 25, 2008 - 10:41 AM New Jersey (5-2-0) at Philadelphia (1-3-3), 4:00 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- An explosive offensive performance gave the Philadelphia Flyers their first win of the season and their Atlantic Division rival a harsh wake-up call.

The Flyers look to post their second consecutive win over the New Jersey Devils in the finale of a home-and-home series on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.

The game originally was slated to take place in the evening but was moved up to clear the stage in the City of Brotherly Love for the Phillies, who host the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Three of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park in prime time. The best-of-seven series is even at one game apiece.

Captain Mike Richards set up four goals, including Scott Hartnell's go-ahead tally late in the second period, as the Flyers cruised to a 6-3 victory on Friday - their first win in New Jersey since March 9, 2004.

After allowing just nine goals over their first six games, the Devils found out how vulnerable their defense can be. It did not help matters when captain Jamie Langenbrunner left the game with a lower body injury, possibly joining Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik on the shelf.

Not only did the Flyers win, they did it just hours after receiving the news that star center Daniel Briere would be sidelined up to a month with a torn abdominal muscle that will have to be surgically repaired. Losing a 31-goal scorer dented their offensive scheme, but they found a way forge a tie with the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres for the most goals in the Eastern Conference (26).

Philadelphia - which has netted 13 of its goals this season in the second period - has tallied 16 times over its past three games, during which it is 1-0-2. Simon Gagne has a recorded at least a point in each of the six games in which he has played, while Jeff Carter has scored a goal in five of his last six contests.

Such production should provide another ample test for Martin Brodeur, who made 22 saves on Friday but let a 3-2 lead slip away. Courtesy of his worst outing of the season, he remained eight wins behind Hall of Famer Patrick Roy (551) for first place on the all-time list.

According to the Bergen Record, coach Brent Sutter will start Brodeur in goal again despite expressing thoughts of giving backup Kevin Weekes his first chance of the season.

In eight meetings with the Devils last season, the Flyers went 2-5-1, including a 2-2-0 record at home. Philadelphia is 91-78-24 all time against the New Jersey franchise, including a 57-27-13 mark in 97 games at home.