NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — On the eve of his 40th birthday, New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur isn’t expecting the Philadelphia Flyers to show up bearing gifts for Game 4.
The Flyers can’t afford the gesture at this point in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal. They trail 2-1 heading into Sunday’s game at the Prudential Center, and the margin might easily have been 3-0.
That’s how well the Devils have played this series. They’ve slowed down Philadelphia’s offense with their forecheck while also shutting down a power play that had a big hand in sending Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins home in the previous round.
If Brodeur has a concern, it’s about his own team, which won Game 3 in overtime Thursday night. The Devils relaxed at times in the opening round against the Florida Panthers and can’t afford a repeat of that.
