Flyers-Devils: Game 27 Preview

Kevin Durso

December 14 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

One element of the Flyers recent 10-game losing streak was a mix of common opponents. During the streak, the Flyers faced the Tampa Bay Lightning three times, completing the season series in that time. The Flyers also faced the New Jersey Devils twice.

The Devils are back on the schedule for the Flyers on Tuesday night, closing out the three-game season series, this time trying to pick up a third-straight win.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New Jersey Devils	GP	G	A	P
Claude Giroux	26	10	13	23	Jesper Bratt	26	8	16	23
Sean Couturier	26	6	10	16	Andreas Johnsson	26	9	10	19
Cam Atkinson	26	9	6	15	Nico Hischier	25	3	13	16
Travis Konecny	26	5	10	15	Pavel Zacha	26	9	6	15
Derick Brassard	18	4	7	11	Dawson Mercer	26	7	8	15

After an 11-game goalless drought, James van Riemsdyk has more than doubled his season total in the last two games, scoring three goals. This includes a two-goal game against Arizona on Saturday night. JVR is certainly a streaker scorer, and this appears to be one of his hot stretches where the goals can come in bunches.

Jack Hughes has only played in nine games this season, but has seven points total. Four of those points have come in the last five games, including an assist in the Devils win over the Flyers on Dec. 8.

Carter Hart gets back in goal for the Flyers on Tuesday. Hart snapped a personal six-game losing streak in his last start and was certainly the key reason the Flyers 10-game losing streak came to an end. Hart made 41 saves on 44 shots in the 4-3 win over Vegas. Hart also faced the Devils last Wednesday, making 24 saves on 26 shots in the 3-0 loss.

Mackenzie Blackwood gets the start again for the Devils. Blackwood took the loss in his last start on Friday night against Nashville, allowing three goals on 27 shots. Blackwood has faced and defeated the Flyers twice this season, his last game being a 25-save shutout.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Ryan Ellis (injury), Joel Farabee (injury), Nate Thompson (injury), Derick Brassard (injury), Nick Seeler (healthy)

Devils Scratches: Nico Hischier (COVID protocol), Ryan Graves (COVID protocol), Christian Jaros (COVID protocol), Jonathan Bernier (injury), Miles Wood (injury), Tyce Thompson (injury), Marian Studenic (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: No changes are expected to the Flyers lineup.
Devils: The Devils have three players in COVID protocol, including Nico Hischier and Ryan Graves. Marian Studenic and Kevin Bahl were called up as a result, but only Bahl will play in Tuesday's game.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (24th), Devils (31st)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (18th), Devils (21st)
Recent History vs. Devils
- Dec. 8, 2021 – Devils 3, Flyers 0 (at NJ)
- Nov. 28, 2021 – Devils 5, Flyers 2 (at NJ)
Flyers Leaders vs. Devils
- Claude Giroux – 61 GP, 15 G, 40 A, 55 P
- James van Riemsdyk – 44 GP, 17 G, 15 A, 32 P
- Cam Atkinson – 28 GP, 12 G, 8 A, 20 P
- Ivan Provorov – 26 GP, 4 G, 12 A, 16 P
- Carter Hart – 6 GP, 3-3-0, 2.19 GAA, .923 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Travis Konecny needs one goal to reach 100 for his career.
- Claude Giroux needs three assists to reach 600 for his career.
- Giroux also needs three points to pass Bill Barber for second on the franchise's all-time scoring list.