The New Jersey Devils played a Game 7 three days ago. The Philadelphia Flyers closed out a series a week ago. In the first period of Game 1 between the teams on Sunday afternoon, you could certainly tell.
Flyers Vs. Devils, Game 1 Score: Zach Parise Goal The Payoff As New Jersey Dominates First Period
The Devils completely dictated much of the first period, outshooting Philadelphia 11-0 at one point midway through the period, and it paid off just 3:16 in the game when Zach Parise capitalized on a Flyers turnover and beat goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to give the Devils the 1-0 lead.
Yeah, Matt Read probably doesn't want to do that anymore. Bryzgalov was really the only Flyer who played well in the first period as they seemed stuck in the mud a bit after the week-long layoff. The Devils, meanwhile, were strong on the forecheck and even stronger defensively after the Flyers started to rev their engines a bit toward the latter part of the period.
Philadelphia had just a single quality scoring chance in the period, and that’s thanks to some phenomenal shot blocking by the Devils. New Jersey’s only disappointment after 20 minutes of play is that their lead sits at just a single goal.
We have full coverage of Flyers vs. Devils Game 1 in our StoryStream. For more from the New Jersey perspective, check in with In Lou We Trust. For more from the Philadelphia perspective, check in with Broad Street Hockey.
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