Coming off a bad weekend, the Flyers got back on track with a big game from its special teams and a huge third period against the usually stingy Devils.
Wayne Simmonds — who drew the ire of the Rangers for sucker-punching their captain, Ryan McDonagh — and Nick Cousins scored 50 seconds apart in a four-goal third period and the Flyers won for only the second time in seven games with a 6-3 victory Tuesday at Prudential Center in Newark, snapping the Devils’ three-game winning streak.
“That was a huge win, especially against New Jersey,” said Simmonds, who snapped a 2-all tie.
With less than two months left in the season, the Flyers, who lost games to the Devils and Rangers this past weekend, are four points out of a playoff spot and five behind New Jersey.
Tyler Kennedy, Jordin Tootoo and Kyle Palmieri scored for the Devils.
“We just weren’t good enough in any phase of the game for us to be able to win,” Devils coach John Hynes said.
Rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere extended his point scoring streak to 13 games with a goal, Claude Giroux added three assists and Brayden Schenn had a goal and two assists. Jakub Voracek and Ryan White also scored in the third period.
Special teams were the difference. The Flyers killed 6 of 7 power plays and converted on 2 of 4 extra-man chances.
The Devils had come into the game with one of the NHL’s hottest power plays. They were 12-for-28 over the past 10 games. In Saturday’s 2-1 win over Philadelphia, the Devils got both of their goals with the extra skater.
“PK was huge tonight,” said Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth, who made 21 saves.