NEWARK, N.J. – After seven losses in succession (0-6-1), Devils general manager Ray Shero embarrassed his team on TV saying, there was no scrums, after-the-whistle jostling and outward signs that would suggest his team cared about its situation.
Well, his Devils responded to that challenge Thursday night at Prudential Center with roughhouse play, lots of penalties and a fistful of fights en route to battering the Flyers, 4-0.
Michael Raffl also suffered an injury and did not play in the third period (see story).
Steve Mason began the game and gave up two goals during a horrendous opening period before coach Dave Hakstol tried to change momentum by sticking in hometown favorite Anthony Stolarz for the second period.
This time, there was no comeback as the Flyers go into the Christmas break 11-2-1 in their last 14 games.
Penalties
Brutal first period. The Flyers had 10 penalties for 26 minutes. The Devils had seven penalties for 20 minutes. Three fights, too.
NHL
Notable goals
Adam Henrique’s blast from eight feet was a one-timer in and out of the net so fast Stolarz probably didn’t realize it had gone in for a split-second.
Goalie report
Mason looked tired and his reaction time seemed slower. That said, neither of the Devils’ first-period goals could be counted against him. He never should have started the game. This was his fifth start in eight games and several were extended games.
Power play
The Flyers had a very, very brief one and went 0-2 for the game.
Penalty kill
The Flyers saw their streak stop at 16 straight kills on P.A. Parenteau’s tip from the paint during the first period. The Flyers killed off 4 of 6 Devils power plays as Jersey scored in the final minutes, too.
Fights
There was a major scrum in the first period involving four players but no actual fights. Then Radko Gudas beat up Vernon Fiddler while Seth Helgeson decisioned Dale Weise. There was a draw between Nick Cousins and Mike Cammalleri after the horn, too. Gudas, Wayne Simmonds and Henrique were all tossed from the final 2:19 of play.
Injuries
Raffl suffered a lower-body injury in the second period and will miss 1-2 weeks.
Scratches
Defensemen Nick Schultz (healthy) and Mark Streit (left shoulder), forwards Sean Couturier (left knee) and Matt Read (oblique pull) and goalie Michal Neuvirth (left knee).
Up next
The Flyers begin their Christmas break on Friday. Practice will resume on Dec. 27 at Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J.