Henrique lifts Devils past Flyers in overtime

PHILADELPHIA-- The New Jersey Devils' power play is so hot right now, every time they get a man-advantage they feel they will score.
So when New Jersey got an opportunity in overtime Saturday, it made sure to make it count.

Adam Henrique scored a power-play goal at 2:58 of overtime to give the Devils a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
After Flyers forward Jakub Voracek took a hooking penalty at 2:31, Henrique one-timed a slap shot past Neuvirth on a 4-on-3 advantage.

"We drew up a good play," Henrique said. "Guys did a good job of entry there on the goal, and then we just ran the plays that we wanted to. [Devils forward Lee Stempniak] had a great screen in front. I think the goalie looked over his right shoulder and opened up a little bit of net for me, so just trying to get it in there."
Joe Blandisi scored a power-play goal and Cory Schneider made 31 saves for New Jersey (28-21-7), which pulled even with the idle Pittsburgh Penguins with 63 points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Penguins have two games in hand.
The Devils are 7-1 in overtime games.
"We have very good goaltending, so when we have breakdowns in the 3-on-3, Schneider is able to make some good saves," Devils coach John Hynes said. "We've found different ways to win, and the guys have confidence in that part of the game."

Philadelphia's Shayne Gostisbehere broke the NHL record for rookie defensemen with a point in his 11th consecutive game. Gostisbehere had the game-tying power-play goal at 3:49 of the third period, his 10th goal in 36 games.
"Just sticking with your process mentally," Gostisbehere said when asked about his season. "Remembering what got you here, staying humble, I think that's the most important (thing)."
Michal Neuvirth made 22 saves for Philadelphia (24-20-10) in his first start since Jan. 27.
"They called a penalty there on us, but they missed the one before in the weak slot," said Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds. "I don't know, that's what happens I guess."
Philadelphia lost defenseman Michael Del Zotto at 12:30 of the third period after he collided with Devils forward Kyle Palmieri and Neuvirth. After the game, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announced Del Zotto is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury.

The Devils' power play scored two goals for the second straight game. Their man-advantage has scored 11 goals in the past 25 opportunities and in five straight games.
"We're cooking every night -- both units too, which is big," Henrique said. "Whoever's out there we have confidence in. Tonight, obviously it was the difference."
The power play got New Jersey on the board first in the opening period. After Bobby Farnham drew an interference minor against Flyers defenseman Nick Schultz, Blandisi capped the man-advantage with a highlight-reel goal. Neuvirth stopped Jacob Josefson's initial shot from the right circle, but failed to control the shot.
The puck bounced through Blandisi and the Flyers defense before it landed at Travis Zajac's feet. Zajac pushed the puck to Blandisi below the goal line, and the rookie wing put the puck between his legs and banked it off Neuvirth to put the Devils in front at 6:43.

"The puck was behind the net when I located it, and I think there was no way I could have got it to the front unless I went through the legs," Blandisi said. "So I pretty much had no option and it was a natural reaction to me ... lucky enough, it squeaked in."
New Jersey's past four goals have come with a man-advantage.
The Flyers were limited to two shots in the first period but had 16 in the second. Schneider kept them at bay until early the third.
Philadelphia received a four-minute power play after Devils forward Sergey Kalinin clipped Flyers captain Claude Giroux with a high stick. A Simmonds interference minor abbreviated the man-advantage, but after Simmonds got out of the box, Philadelphia evened the score.

Schneider made an initial save on Brayden Schenn, but the puck returned to Giroux, who pushed it to Gostisbehere at the point. Gostisbehere's slap shot got past Schneider, tying the game 1-1 at 3:49.
"He's got a good shot," Giroux said of Gostisbehere. "He's got that ability to find a lane and make sure his shot doesn't get blocked. To have that skill at that age is pretty impressive."