For more on this game, check out our Devils blog, In Lou We Trust, and our Flyers blog, Broad Street Hockey.
Flyers 2, Devils 1: Philly Holds Off New Jersey Offense, Frustrates Kovalchuk In Game One Victory
Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Brian Boucher made 23 saves to record his first playoff win in nearly 10 years, as the Philadelphia Flyers held off the New Jersey Devils, 2-1, in Game One of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Prudential Center.
Boucher’s play invoked memories of his performance in the 2000 playoffs, when he backstopped the Flyers to within a game of the Stanley Cup Finals before Philadelphia blew a 3-1 series advantage to the Devils.
His last postseason win came on May 20 of that year.
On Wednesday, Boucher outdueled the most accomplished goaltender in NHL history, the Devils' Martin Brodeur, who stopped just 12 shots.
Mike Richards lit the lamp and Chris Pronger added a power-play goal for seventh-seeded Philadelphia, which secured a playoff spot with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Rangers on Sunday.
The Flyers fared well against New Jersey during the regular season, outscoring the Devils, 20-13, in winning five of the six contests.
Travis Zajac spoiled Boucher's shutout bid with 2:43 to play in the third period.
New Jersey is hoping to snap a recent postseason trend. The Atlantic Division champions have been knocked out in the first round in each of the past two years.
Game 2 of this best-of-seven series is scheduled for Friday in New Jersey.
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