Flyers vs. Devils: Game 3 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs series between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils had a little bit of everything—tons of energy, even more back-and-forth action, a few questionable calls, overtime—except for flying fists of fury.

The result was satisfying only to the Devils, who emerged from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. with a 4-3 overtime win and a 2-1 lead in this contentious Eastern Conference clash.

Ilya Kovalchuk's return from a back injury proved to be a boon. The superstar winger notched a goal and two assists, including a helper on Alexei Ponikarovsky's game-winning score late in the extra period.

Tweets of the Night

Turns out The Most Interesting Man in the World is a Flyers fan. Who knew?

"

He doesn't watch hockey often, but when he does, he roots for the Flyers.

— Not The Man (@NotDosEquisMan) May 3, 2012"

Something tells me Hunter Pence wouldn't have tweeted so jubilantly about having played an early game if the Philadelphia Phillies had lost:

"

Gooooooaaaaall!Greatest thing about a 12:00 game is watching the Flyers after!

— Hunter Pence (@HunterPence3) May 3, 2012"

Apparently, two goals in 20 seconds is all it takes to change Happy Gilmore's mind about the Devils:

"

The Devils are having a harder time scoring than Steve Urkel did with Laura Winslow

— Happy Gilmore (@_Happy_Gilmore) May 3, 2012"

"

The Devils just transformed from Urkel to Stefan

— Happy Gilmore (@_Happy_Gilmore) May 4, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

Per standard operating procedure for overtime games, here's another look at the goal that ended it, off the stick of Alexei Ponikarovsky:

Grades for Key Flyers Players

Claude Giroux: C+

Claude Giroux looked like he was ready to wrap up the Conn Smythe Trophy with the way he played against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he has struggled to duplicate that form against Philadelphia.

Not that he didn't have a significant impact on Game 3. His mere presence helped to open up the ice for Matt Carle's equalizer in the second period.

Still, just two shots on goal and a minus-one rating don't speak well of Giroux's footprint on the game, which was far too small for his team's own good once again. 

Ilya Bryzgalov: B

It's hard to blame Bryzgalov too much for giving up as many goals as he did, considering how inconsistently the skaters in front of him defended.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that Bryz kept 27 of the Devils' 31 shots from scooting past him. Perhaps, if Philly had matched Jersey's energy and aggression the whole time—and hadn't botched the line change that gave way to the final goal—he wouldn't have had to worry about stopping such an onslaught.

Grades for Key Devils Players

Ilya Kovalchuk: A-

Kovy looked great for the Devils on Thursday, showing no ill effects from the back injury that kept him out of Game 2. The big Russian assisted on Patrick Elias' goal to open the scoring and registered one of his own just 20 seconds later.

Kovalchuk came agonizingly close to putting the game out of reach in the third period on a shot that precipitated Danny Briere's equalizer.

However, Kovy ultimately made good with a sweet pass to set up Alexei Ponikarovsky's game-winner in overtime.

Martin Brodeur: B+

It wasn't Marty's finest hour in goal, but he stood up just well enough to give his team a shot. The future Hall of Famer stopped 25-of-28 shots on the way to improving his record in playoff overtime games to 15-22.

Just in time for his 40th birthday, which falls on the same day as Game 4.

Deciding Factor: Energy

The Flyers and the Devils seemed to switch spots in the energy pyramid throughout the game. The Devils dominated the pace of play for most of the first period before ceding control in the second and taking turns throughout the third.

Game MVP: Kovalchuk

Kovy made his fair share of mistakes, but made more than enough of an impact elsewhere on the ice to make the positive difference in the outcome for Jersey.

What's Next

These two Atlantic Division rivals will be back on the ice at the Prudential Center for Game 4 on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Follow @J0shMart1n