Henrique’s OT PP Goal Powers Devils Past Flyers 2-1

Kyle Palmieri of the Devils looks to make a move toward the Flyers goal. Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images

EAST HANOVER, NJ – Adam Henrique scored on the power-play in overtime and the New Jersey Devils were a perfect 2-2 on the man advantage en route to a much needed 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon at the Well Fargo Center.

Andy Greene was streaking toward the Flyers (24-20-10) goal in the extra frame as the Devil’s (28-21-7) had a 2 on 1 chance. He got a shot off that was saved by Michal Neuvirth, but Jakub Voracek was called for hooking on the play to set up New Jersey’s second power-play opportunity.

They wasted little time. John Moore set up Henrique for a beautiful one timer from the right slot. He lasered a shot past Neuvirth and into the net just 37 seconds into the power-play.

“It’s a big two points for us,” Henrique said after the game. “Two power-play goals and the penalty kill; came up big for us. We’re finding ways to win.”

Henrique now has six points in his past six games, including two goals in his past two. It was hist first overtime goal this season.

The first Devil’s goal came off a beautiful skill play from Joseph Blandisi.

On their first try on the man advantage, the rookie winger gathered the puck behind the Flyers net. He had little room on the short side and wristed a shot from in between his legs that snuck past Neuvirth to give his team a 1-0 advantage in the first period.

“I don’t use it on the goalies (in practice). I think it was pretty fun to pull it off in a game and luckily it worked out,” Blandisi said of his goal. “It was a natural reaction to me. That’s always a good thing to see,” he added.

New Jersey was hoping to hold on to that one goal edge throughout, but it was not quite enough to get them through 60 minutes of play.

The Flyers finally figured out Corey Schneider and the Devil’s defense when Shayne Gostisbehere scored his 10th of the season on the man advantage to knot the score at 1-1 at the beginning of the third.

The Devils responded back with a couple of offensive surges of their own, but Reid Boucher fired wide from the slot twice, Travis Zajac was stopped by Neuvirth’s glove and Damon Severson hit the goalies glove and the post before the game headed into the extra frame.

Schneider made 31 saves for the Devils on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Devils pick up an important two points. They are now tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins (28-19-7) for the second spot in the wildcard with 63 points apiece. They are one point behind the Boston Bruins (29-19-6) for the top spot in the wildcard.

They will look for their third consecutive win when they host the Los Angeles Kings (33-18-3) tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m.