By: Adam Gretz

After jumping out to a six-goal lead early in the second period the New Jersey Devils had to hang on for a 6-4 win in Philadelphia as the Flyers put together a spirited third period rally, scoring four goals and out-shooting the Devils by a 24-1 margin over the final 20 minutes.

In the end, though, the Devils fast start was enough to earn the two points in the standings, and it was a big day for forward Ilya Kovalchuk, on what was the two-year anniversary of the trade that sent him to New Jersey from Atlanta.

He celebrated the day by scoring his 21st goal of the season, picking up two assists and completing his first career Gordie Howe Hat Trick by fighting Philadelphia's Brayden Schenn, and dropping him with a huge punch midway through the third period.

It all started after Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo tripped Devils captain Zach Parise with a slew foot (that he would receive a fine for from the league) after the whistle had already blown. Here is a look at the entire sequence.



Schenn, of course, missed time early this season with a concussion, so watching him throw his helmet off and take part in a fight that ended with a punch like that probably wasn't the ideal situation for him to be in.

It was announced on Saturday night that Rinaldo has been fined $2,500 for the slew foot, and also received another $2,500 fine for a late hit on Jacob Josefson in the second period.

But how about the day for Kovalchuk? His goal came with his team shorthanded, and his role as a penalty killer for the Devils continues to be one of the biggest surprises of the season. He is not only a regular on what has been the best PK unit in the league, but he also done a fine job in that situation, already scoring three shorthanded goals this season. Perhaps even more impressive is that he has only been on the ice for one goal against during 4-on-5 situations.

A Gordie Howe Hat Trick and a shorthanded goal from Kovalchuk all in the same game? Strange times in the NHL.

Previously at Eye On Hockey

Kovalchuk's role as a penalty killer
NHL Discipline news

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