NHL

Ponikarovsky scores in OT to give Devils win over Flyers

NEWARK, N.J. — Alexei Ponikarovsky scored on his own rebound with 2:39 left in overtime and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in this Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Patrik Elias, Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise also scored for the Devils, who killed off two penalties in overtime before Ponikarovsky came through with his first goal of the postseason on a backhander that sneaked past Ilya Bryzgalov.

Martin Brodeur made 25 saves for New Jersey, which will look to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series Sunday.

Kovalchuk, who missed Game 2 with a lower body injury, also had two assists in his return, including one on the game winner. Danny Briere, Matt Carle and Brayden Schenn tallied for the Flyers. Bryzgalov had 27 saves.