Flyers-Devils: Game 51 Preview

Kevin Durso

May 1 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

With Thursday's defeat and official elimination from playoff contention, everything from here for the Flyers is mere formality. Six games remain on the 2020-21 season, and it is only after those are completed that the real work will begin in the offseason and certain questions about what went wrong and what needs to be done will be answered.

For now, the games continue with the final game of a four-game series with the New Jersey Devils. The series closes on Saturday night in Philadelphia.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New Jersey Devils	GP	G	A	P
Jake Voracek	47	9	31	40	Pavel Zacha	44	13	17	30
James van Riemsdyk	50	16	23	39	Jack Hughes	50	11	16	27
Claude Giroux	48	14	22	36	Jesper Bratt	40	6	21	27
Sean Couturier	39	15	21	36	Yegor Sharangovich	48	14	12	26
Joel Farabee	49	15	16	31	Miles Wood	50	17	8	25

The Flyers gave Kevin Hayes the night off on Thursday, citing both health and performance as reasons. Hayes gets back into the lineup on Saturday and is also playing in his 500th NHL game. He's one of the many Flyers who have had disappointing performances this season.

Yegor Sharangovich had the first two goals of Thursday's game and three over his last two games. He's becoming a bit of a Flyers killer in this series, so watch for the rookie to have an impact in this game too.

Brian Elliott is back in goal for the Flyers. Elliott allowed five goals in Tuesday's loss, bringing his record to 13-7-2 and his GAA to 2.98 on the season. With six games remaining, Elliott likely has four more starts, including Saturday night.

Mackenzie Blackwood gets back in goal for the fourth time this week. Blackwood has been good in the last two wins, despite allowing three goals or more in each. He looks for a third straight win against the Flyers.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Sam Morin (healthy), Jackson Cates (healthy), Carsen Twarynski (healthy)

Devils Scratches: Andreas Johnsson (injury), Matt Tennyson (injury), P.K. Subban (COVID protocol), Jonas Siegenthaler (COVID protocol), Marian Studenic (healthy), Nolan Foote (healthy), Aaron Dell (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Egor Zamula was sent to the taxi squad on Saturday morning, presumably to allow for Shayne Gostisbehere to return to the lineup. Nicolas Aube-Kubel is also returning to the lineup, in addition to Hayes.
Devils: No changes are expected for the Devils following Thursday's win.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (20th), Devils (T-27th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th), Devils (31st)
Recent History vs. Devils
- Jan. 26, 2021 – Flyers 5, Devils 3 (at NJ)
- Jan. 28, 2021 – Flyers 3, Devils 1 (at NJ)
- March 23, 2021 – Devils 4, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
- April 25, 2021 – Flyers 4, Devils 3 (F/SO) (at PHI)
- April 27, 2021 – Devils 6, Flyers 4 (at NJ)
- April 29, 2021 – Devils 5, Flyers 3 (at NJ)
Flyers Leaders vs. Devils
- Claude Giroux – 57 GP, 15 G, 38 A, 53 P
- James van Riemsdyk – 40 GP, 16 G, 15 A, 31 P
- Jake Voracek – 47 GP, 7 G, 31 A, 38 P
- Brian Elliott – 15 GP, 8-7-0, 2.97 GAA, .884 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Claude Giroux needs two power-play goals to pass Eric Lindros for 8th all-time in Flyers history.
- Kevin Hayes plays in his 500th NHL game tonight.
- Kevin Hayes needs three points to reach 300 for his career.