It wasn’t very pretty or even exciting -- most games against the New Jersey Devils aren’t -- but the Flyers got a needed 4-1 victory Thursday night as they opened up a four-game homestand at Wells Fargo Center.
Craig Berube’s club now has a four-game point streak going.
In a game with future playoff implications, the Devils came into play resting in fifth place in the Metro Division with 27 points -- four points more than the sixth-place Flyers.
The Flyers scored two early goals from two unlikely players in linemates Sean Couturier and Matt Read and then their offense stalled.
Read had a strong game with a season-high five shots on goalie Cory Schneider. He and Couturier continually led rushes up ice in this one.
They allowed the Devils to merely hang around even though they held a strong shot advantage much of the game (29-15 at one point) and giving goalie Ray Emery little breathing room.
Emery was making his first start in five games.
Notable goals
Hey, the Flyers finally got their first shorthanded goal of the season. It happened in the first period as Read blocked a point shot from Marek Zidlicky and was tripped. However, he was able to get to his feet to generate a 2-on-1 rush with partner Couturier, who slid the puck under Schneider for a 1-0 lead just 6:12 into play.
2-0 leads
The last time the Flyers held a 2-0 lead in the first period was Nov. 6 against Florida (15 games ago).
Then vs. now
The Flyers had eight shorthanded goals last season. They have just one now.
Goalie report
Emery had 17 saves and had to withstand a New Jersey “push” that began late in the second period and continued well into the third.
Power play
The Devils were 1 for 2. The Flyers were 1 for 5 with 11 shots.
Penalty kill
The Flyers caved again, giving up another power-play goal. That’s three power-play goals allowed in the last two games.
Milestone
Scott Gomez’s assist on Marty Havlat’s second-period goal tied him with Scott Stevens for fourth all-time among Devil players (337).
Scratches
Defensemen Michael Del Zotto and Carlo Colaicovo; forward Vinny Lecavalier. All healthy.
Up next
The Flyers host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday at 1 p.m. This will be the second of four games during the homestand.