Rusty Kennedy / AP

New Jersey's Karel Rachunek, left, congratulates goalie Martin Brodeur. Brodeur won his 500th career game on Saturday when the Devils beat the Flyers.

“I know it is pretty special for him, but I wish it was another night,” Flyers center Danny Briere said.

Dainius Zubrus knocked in a rebound, and Karel Rachunek stunned Martin Biron with a slap shot just inside the blue line in the first to give New Jersey a 2-0 lead.

Patrik Elias found the puck in a scrum in front of the crease and knocked in his fourth goal early in the second for a 3-0 lead.

Jay Pandolfo’s seventh goal late in the third made it 4-1, and Brodeur cruised from there.

Biron, who made 18 saves in the first two periods before he was pulled for Niittymaki, counts himself as a Brodeur fan.

“It’s just great for him to be able to achieve that milestone, and I hope one day I can be able to get up in wins and be able to be at the level that he’s been for so many years,” he said. “I think that I can get to that level. Definitely it’s an achievement to shoot at.”

The Devils hit Niittymaki quickly with goals by Brian Gionta and Zach Parise 32 seconds apart to push the lead to 6-1.

Scottie Upshall scored the only other Philadelphia goal.

After winning their first six games at home, the Flyers have lost two straight to division rivals New York and New Jersey.

Brodeur, taking advantage of the rule change that eliminated ties, has won 30-plus games in 11 straight seasons and 40 in each of the last two. He set an NHL record with 48 wins last season.

“He’s obviously broken a lot of records and he’s got a lot left in the tank, so we have a lot to look forward to,” Devils coach Brent Sutter said.

Notes: Flyers RW Sami Kapanen returned to the lineup after missing four games with a knee injury. ... New Jersey D Paul Martin sat out a second straight game with lower body soreness.

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Heading to the Cup finals

Adam Henrique scored off a wild scramble in front early in OT and the New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 to advance to their first Stanley Cup finals since '03. The new Eastern champs will face LA next.

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Highlights: OT goal delivers Devils to Cup finals

  Check out highlights as the New Jersey Devils advanced to the Stanley Cup finals by defeating the New York Rangers, 3-2, in overtime.

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