Hartnell Scores 2 PP Goals, Flyers Top Devils 4-1

Scott Hartnell scored two power-play goals, and Wayne Simmonds had a goal and two assists, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

The Flyers (28-14-4) remained four points behind the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers. The Devils (26-19-2) lost for the second straight time in the middle of a six-game homestand.

Hartnell scored in the second and third periods. His first goal came off a deflection, and his second -- the 22nd of the season -- came off a one-timer that eluded goalie Martin Brodeur.

Simmonds assisted on Hartnell's first goal and on Matt Read's second-period. Read leads NHL rookies with 15 goals. Simmonds scored an empty-netter with two minutes left.

Alexei Ponikarovsky, in his Devils debut, scored New Jersey's lone goal. Ponikarovsky was acquired Friday in a trade with Carolina.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)