NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Patrik Elias scored his eighth career hat trick and the New Jersey Devils kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night.
Brian Rolston set up all three goals by Elias, rookie Nick Palmieri got the winner midway through the third period and Johan Hedberg made 34 saves in what was a must-win game for the Devils.
New Jersey has to win its final five games and get a lot of help or it will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
James Van Riemsdyk and Jeff Carter scored for the Eastern Conference-leading Flyers, who have lost two in a row and three of four. Brian Boucher made 20 saves for Philadelphia.
