Ice on Lord Stanley - Round1 Game1: Quick Out of The Gate

Going into this game we knew the stats, the Flyers had the Devils number, but we were unsure of how that would translate to the post season. Here we go:

-1st Period-
From the start the Flyers had jump, the question was if they could keep it up. They did up until a tremendous PK by the Devils that included 5 icings by the Devils PK, which ended with Timonen taking a interference penalty on Parise.
From that point on it was Boucher's night. He made some big saves, one especially on Kovalchuk while being screened. He went on to make many saves tongith while being screened. Bouch looked a lot more focus, confident and seemed to have settled in also using his angles very well. Hartnell even drew a penalty.
The period was very even match a lot of back and forth play. Until about the 10 minute mark then it seemed as though the Flyers had their hands full with the suddenly offensive minded Devils. The Flyers on the back of Bocuher got out of the period, weathered the storm.
+Period ended 0-0.
Giroux said after the period: We need to play more disciplent and need to play better.
Shots were 9 to 4 Devils, Power Plays - NJD 0/2, PHI 0/1

-2nd Period-
Zubrus took a penalty for hooking 8 minutes in, which the Flyers immediatly captiallized on. Pronger scored on a tap in infront of the net, assists went to Richy and Gagne. That was big to take the lead on the road and to score the first goal of the series.
The shift after Zubrus had a chance on a 2 on 1 but Bouch was a tad quicker getting over in time to stop the one-timer.
The Devils picked up their play from that point on, pressuring a lot more than earlier in the period. The Flyers had success using long stretch passes and quick break outs to trying to catch the Devils D pinching. This mixed with tough pressure put on by Flyers fore-checkers led the Flyers to their Second goal. Devils defenseman Martin Skoula turned the puck over at the top of the circles, where Lappy was right in position to take control of the puck and send a great pass over to Richy for a big slapper over the glove of Brodeur.
Bouch looked solid not giving up an bad rebounds, something that had killed him during the final stretch of the Regular Season. He also not panicing, covering the puck when in doubt.
+Period ended 2-0 Flyers, Goals by Pronger(PP) and Richards.

Lappy says after period : the team is all on the same page.

Shots on goal - 15 to 12 NJD. PowerPlays - 1/1 PHI, None NJD

-3rd Period-
Flyers are 30-1-3 when leading after 3 periods during regualr season.
Devils came out of the gate strong especially their line of Elias Kovi and Zubrus. 2 minutes into the period Oscar Bartulis, who was playing his first game after missing the last 4 games of the season due to a groin injury, took a high sticking penalty that drew blood = 4 minutes Power Play for Devils.
Blair Betts and Ian Laperriere took over from that point on and played almost all of the 4 minutes, only changed once. Boucher was playing sharp and being calm and cool while under the pressure of the Devils PP. Then 2 minutes later the PKers were called on again, and once again an easy kill anchored by Betts, Lappy, Pronger and Carle.
With a little under 3 minutes left Travis Zajac took a slap shot from th point that came bouncing in on Boucher and found a hole between his leg and arm. The Devils then went on to pull Brodeur and put on a tremedous amount of pressure. Zajac got the puck off of a rebound in front and tapped it back toward the net where Boucher swipped at the puck covering it up with 10.2 seconds left. On the following draw Carter last but Richy chipped the puck out of the zone, and sealed Game 1 for the Flyers.
+Period Ended 2-1 Flyers, Goal by Parise
Shots on goal: 24-14 Devils. Power plays - 0/2 NJD, 0/1 PHI (Total- 0/4 NJD, 1/3 PHI)

Boucher spoke after the game saying: "We wanted the first win, we got it." and when asked what he changed he said "I am who i am, you battle and what happens, happens"
Ed Snyder also spoke of Boucher after the game saying: "Bouch was great, this guy's back!"

Player of the game undoubtly went to Brian Boucher who went 23 for 24 and picked up his first playoff win since 2000, which he got up while playing with the Flyers.
Betts and Laperriere were also vital as the devils got 6 penalty minutes in the final frame. Betts logged 15:15 minutes (4:55 on PK) while Lappy logged 15:53 (4:43 on PK)
Matt Carle played a great game, logging over 27 minutes (5:29 on PK)

Flyers have a 1-0 lead on the series next game is Friday @7:30