Devils shut out free-falling Flyers

[December 09, 2021] Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves and Jesper Bratt collected a goal and an assist as the host New Jersey Devils skated to a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in Newark, N.J.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Ty Smith (24) controls the puck in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Blackwood turned aside all 11 shots he faced in the third period to preserve his eighth career shutout and second versus the Flyers. He owns an 8-0-2 career mark against Philadelphia.

Dawson Mercer added a power-play goal in the second period for the Devils, who snapped a four-game winless skid (0-3-1) by defeating Philadelphia for the second time this season. New Jersey beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Nov. 28.

Carter Hart finished with 24 saves for the free-falling Flyers, who have dropped 10 in a row (0-8-2). Philadelphia has been shut out on four occasions this season.

Hart denied Yegor Sharangovich at the left post to keep the game scoreless at 4:48 of second period before Bratt finally solved the netminder 42 seconds later.

Bratt wristed a shot from the right circle that handcuffed Hart for the forward's seventh goal of the season. He collected a goal and two assists in the first encounter with the Flyers.

Mercer recorded his first career power-play goal to double the advantage with 8:25 left in the second half. Mercer deftly deflected a shot from the point by defenseman Ty Smith for his seventh goal of the season and first since Nov. 20.

Pavel Zacha nearly gave New Jersey a 3-0 lead with 1:53 to play in the third period. However, Flyers interim coach Mike Yeo challenged the play. A short review revealed the play was offside, negating the goal.

Hart was pulled for an extra attacker late in the third period. Michael McLeod scored into the empty net with 30 seconds left to seal the win. The goal was McLeod's first of the season.

Philadelphia's James van Riemsdyk was penalized for a cross-check from behind on McLeod, giving New Jersey its first power play midway through the first period and leaving the Devils forward retreating to the locker room to fix a laceration. New Jersey was unable to convert with the man advantage.

--Field Level Media

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