Brian Boucher showed no signs of any playoff rust as the Flyers took the lead in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Boucher was the star of the game, holding the Devils scoreless until late into the third period. He had 23 saves in his first playoff start in eight years.
The Flyers did all their scoring in the second period as Chris Pronger got on the board first. The big defenseman scored mid-way through the second period as the Flyers were on the power play.
Mike Richards added the second goal seven minutes later on a laser shot that beat Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. Ian Laperriere made a beautiful wrap around feed for the assist.
New Jersey’s Travis Zajac scored the Devils only goal on a bouncing shot with 2:43 left to play. The goal came shortly after the Flyers were able to kill off a four-minute power play.
The Fly Guys only mustered 14 shots on goal in the game and just two in the third period.
The Flyers continued to own the Devils after winning five of six games against the conference foe this regular season.
The victory marked the first time the Flyers have won a game one in a series since 2004 against Tampa Bay.
The Orange and Black next take to the ice Friday night at 7:30 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
The series stands at 1-0 Flyers.
