{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Jersey 5, Philadelphia 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 3, 2015
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Referees: Brad Meier, Ian Walsh
Linesmen: Don Henderson, Matt MacPherson
Attendance: 15066

Devils 5, Flyers 2: Jaromir Jagr recorded his 15th career hat trick - and first since 2006 - and Scott Gomez collected a goal and two assists as host New Jersey posted just its third win in 13 games (3-7-3).

With 714 career goals, Jagr moved within three of Hall-of-Famer Phil Esposito for fifth place in NHL history. Patrik Elias recorded his 997th point with his 398th career tally and Cory Schneider made 18 saves for the Devils, who scored three times in the first to mark their most in a period since netting three in the opening session versus Detroit on Nov. 28.

Defenseman Andrew MacDonald collected a goal and an assist while Vincent Lecavalier also tallied for Philadelphia as captain Claude Giroux sat out after suffering a laceration on the back of his left leg during Friday's 2-1 loss to Carolina. Ray Emery yielded three goals on 10 shots in the first period before being relieved by Steve Mason (six saves) for the reeling Flyers, who lost their fifth consecutive contest (0-4-1) to conclude a season-high eight-game road trip (3-4-1).

Adam Henrique took advantage of Emery's turnover behind the net and fed Jagr, who backhanded the puck while standing below the end line with 6:40 remaining in the first period to open the scoring. Martin Havlat set up Elias in the right faceoff circle 2:22 later before Jagr stole the puck and beat Emery with a sharp wrist shot from the right circle with four seconds remaining in the session.

Gomez continued the onslaught with a slap shot from the left circle 9:35 into the second period and Jagr capped his milestone performance three minutes later. The former Flyer gained inside position on Philadelphia defenseman Nicklas Grossmann and converted Gomez's feed on the doorstep.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Jagr (42 years, 322 days) became the oldest player in NHL history to record a hat trick, surpassing Gordie Howe. His last three-goal performance came when he was a member of the New York Rangers, scoring three times against G Robert Esche in a 3-0 win over Philadelphia on March 22, 2006. ... The hat trick was New Jersey's first since C Travis Zajac accomplished the feat versus Florida on March 31. ... Giroux sat out for the first time since the 2012 regular-season finale at Pittsburgh, a string of 168 contests.
Top Game Performances
 
Philadelphia   New Jersey
Andrew MacDonald 2 Points Jaromir Jagr 3
Andrew MacDonald 1 Goals Jaromir Jagr 3
Andrew MacDonald 1 Assists Scott Gomez 2
Vincent Lecavalier 1 Power Play Goals Patrik Elias 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Steve Mason .750 Save Percentage Cory Schneider .900
Ray Emery 7 Saves Cory Schneider 18
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Philadelphia 20 2 1-2 2-3 26 27
New Jersey 18 5 1-3 1-2 24 26
Upcoming Games
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against Buffalo. The Devils have a W/L % of .357 after a win and .333 after a loss.
  • Philadelphia will play their next game at home against Ottawa. The Flyers have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .280 after a loss.