FIVE OVERTIMES Flyers 2 Penguins 1
DEVIL NOTES
Sidelined with a bruised right knee since Game 2 of the first round against Florida, Devils center Sergei Brylin said he’s ready to return for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Toronto tomorrow night.
Wearing a brace, Brylin skated with a few teammates during an optional workout at South Mountain Arena in West Orange yesterday. He said that coach Larry Robinson had told him to skate “and try and get ready as soon as possible.”
So during the practice, Brylin reported to Robinson that he felt strong enough to play tomorrow.
“I told him I can play and he said, ‘OK, we’ll let you know,'” said Brylin, who has been practicing since last Saturday.
Robinson, however, told reporters that he hadn’t decided yet whether to use him.
A 26-year-old Moscow, Russia native, Brylin had a goal in Game 1 against the Panthers. He is coming off a season in which he had career-highs of nine goals and 11 assists in 64 games.
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After nearly being benched in Game 2 of this series, rookie center Scott Gomez has stormed back into the good graces of Robinson by scoring a goal in each of the last two games.
“He has started to play a lot better in the last couple days,” Robinson said. “He’s more involved in the offense. He’s got his feet moving. He’s being more of a presence on the ice than he was before.”
Gomez, who has three goals and an assist in the eight playoff games, was named as one of the three finalists Wednesday for the Calder Trophy, which is given to the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. The Anchorage, AK, native finished the regular season with 19 goals and 51 assists for a Devils rookie record of 70 points. He played in all 82 games.
The other two Calder candidates are Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart and Rangers forward Michael York.
With Gomez’ power play goal in Game 4, the Devils are 3 of 11 in PP situations in the last two games (5 of 32 for the series).
“Our power play looks like it’s coming around,” defenseman Ken Daneyko said. “We’re moving the puck well. Special teams is huge in a playoff game.”
With Toronto goalie Curtis Joseph’s sensational 34-save effort in Game 4, Robinson was asked if he could recall other goalies that have made a huge difference in the playoffs. He named current Maple Leaf GM Ken Dryden in the early ’70s, Patrick Roy in ’86, Martin Brodeur in ’95 and Ed Belfour last year.
“You have to get goaltending,” Robinson said.
Devils will practice today at Air Canada Center.