Elias: From holdout to hero
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Patrik Elias sat home early and sent the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup finals late.
|  | | Patrik Elias, left, scored both goals for the Devils. |
Elias, who missed the first three weeks because of a contract squabble, scored both Devils' goals Friday night as New Jersey eliminated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The victory capped New Jersey's comeback from being down three
games to one, the first such comeback in NHL conference finals
history. Not counting two 3-0 comebacks, the Devils became the 14th
team to rally and win from 3-1.
The 24-year-old forward from the Czech Republic was a restricted
free agent following last season and was without a contract in the
first eight New Jersey games. Elias was hoping for a $1 million
deal, but it was a waiting game he was not going to win. He finally
relented and rejoined the club.
That was the only negative of the season for Elias, who led the
team with 35 goals and 72 points.
"We all knew how much we needed him," said defenseman Ken
Daneyko, who has played in all eight Game 7s in Devils history.
"Patrik's going to get his money in due time, he certainly
deserves a lot more, I'll tell you that."
After New Jersey took an early lead, the Devils allowed the
Flyers to dominate the second period and tie the game. It could
have been worse, but the Devils did not fall behind, setting up
Elias' heroics.
"The third period was our best in the game," said Elias. "The second period we didn't play good at all. We weren't skating, we weren't moving the puck and it looked like those guys had a pretty good chance to beat us."
Elias hasn't slowed down his scoring pace in the playoffs -- he's
the top scorer again for New Jersey with seven goals and 15 points.
He gave the Devils a 1-0 lead 6:44 in, scoring on the power play.
His second goal, coming from in front after Jason Arnott
dribbled the puck over to him, broke a 1-1 tie with 2:32 left and
sent the Devils on their second trip to the finals.
"That is the type of game he is capable of playing, he is very
explosive," said New Jersey coach Larry Robinson. "I sometimes
wish he would be around the net a little more -- he would score a
lot more goals than he does."
New Jersey selected Elias with the 51st pick in the 1994 entry
draft. He scored four goals and set up another against
Philadelphia. Elias made the comeback possible by getting a goal
and an assist in the Devils' 4-1 victory in Game 5 at Philadelphia.
"He is a game breaker," Robinson said. "It is nice to have those guys on your club."
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Patrik Elias was pleased with the Devils' character this series.
