Flyers-Devils: Game 20 Preview

Kevin Durso

November 28 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Flyers losing streak hit five games with a Friday afternoon drubbing to the Carolina Hurricanes. Now the Flyers continue their play against the Metro Division, desperately needing to right the ship in a hurry.

The Flyers are battered with injuries, but have faced teams dealing with significant losses in their own right and have struggled to keep up. The New Jersey Devils have lost five of their last six game entering Sunday night's action.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New Jersey Devils	GP	G	A	P
Claude Giroux	19	7	10	17	Jesper Bratt	18	4	10	14
Sean Couturier	19	5	8	13	Andreas Johnsson	18	7	6	13
Derick Brassard	17	4	7	11	Dawson Mercer	18	6	7	13
Cam Atkinson	19	7	4	11	Pavel Zacha	18	8	4	12
Travis Konecny	19	5	5	10	Nico Hischier	18	2	10	12

Joel Farabee scored a highlight-reel shorthanded goal on Friday for his second goal in as many games. There hasn't been much offense for the Flyers, but perhaps this is a sign that Farabee is breaking out of his scoring slump.

Jesper Bratt is leading the Devils in points this season and has five in his last five games. Bratt also has five goals and 11 points in 17 career games against the Flyers.

Martin Jones gets the start for the Flyers. Jones was outstanding in his last start, making 44 saves despite taking the loss in overtime to the Florida Panthers.

Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to get the start for the Devils. Since posting a 42-save shutout against the Islanders on Nov. 11, Blackwood has allowed three goals or more in three of his four starts. Blackwood most recently suffered a shootout loss of his own, allowing two goals on 27 shots against the Wild on Wednesday.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Kevin Hayes (injury), Ryan Ellis (injury), Nate Thompson (injury), Patrick Brown (injury)

Devils Scratches: Jack Hughes (injury), Miles Wood (injury), Tyce Thompson (injury), Jesper Boqvist (injury), Colton White (healthy), Christian Jaros (healthy), Chase De Leo (healthy), Fabian Zetterlund (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Max Willman is back in the lineup as Nate Thompson comes out due to injury. Patrick Brown was placed on IR to make room for Willman on the roster.
Devils: Ty Smith returns to the Devils lineup after an injury. No other changes are expected.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (26th), Devils (27th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (13th), Devils (21st)
Recent History vs. Devils
- May 10, 2021 – Flyers 4, Devils 2 (at PHI)
- May 1, 2021 – Devils 4, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
- April 29, 2021 – Devils 5, Flyers 3 (at NJ)
- April 27, 2021 – Devils 6, Flyers 4 (at NJ)
- April 25, 2021 – Flyers 4, Devils 3 (F/SO) (at PHI)
- March 23, 2021 – Devils 4, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
- Jan. 28, 2021 – Flyers 3, Devils 1 (at NJ)
- Jan. 26, 2021 – Flyers 5, Devils 3 (at NJ)
Flyers Leaders vs. Devils
- Claude Giroux – 59 GP, 15 G, 40 A, 55 P
- Cam Atkinson – 26 GP, 12 G, 8 A, 20 P
- James van Riemsdyk – 42 GP, 17 G, 15 A, 32 P
- Joel Farabee – 9 GP, 6 G, 0 A, 6 P
- Martin Jones – 11 GP, 7-3-0, 1.66 GAA, .934 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Travis Konecny needs one goal to reach 100 for his career.
- Claude Giroux needs three power-play points to pass Bobby Clarke for the Flyers all-time franchise lead.