Flyers-Devils: Game 56 Preview

 

 

The Philadelphia Flyers (24-21-10) will head up the turnpike for another crucial game against the division rival New Jersey Devils (29-21-7). This is the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs. Game time is 7:00.

 

The Devils are 2-0-1 against the Flyers this season. New Jersey has won both games in Philadelphia including Saturday afternoon's 2-1 decision in overtime. The Flyers defeated the Devils in New Jersey by a 4-3 overtime score earlier this season. 

 

Player to Watch
28 Claude Giroux	5 Adam Larsson
Last 5 Games: 0G, 2A, 2P, -4	Last 5 Games: 0G, 0A, , Even

 

Claude Giroux has not scored since potting two goals against Nashville back on February 4th. The Flyers captain has also not had tremendous success against the Devils. When the Flyers hosted New Jersey on Saturday, it was the beginning of a three games in four nights stretch against division opponents. With the Flyers fighting for their playoff lives, one would have thought Giroux would step up and carry the team. It has been just the opposite. He will need to find his scoring touch if Philadelphia is going to succeed. 

Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth	35 Cory Schneider
11-6-3, 2.13 GAA, .932 SV%	25-16-6, 1.98 GAA, .931 SV%

Michal Neuvirth will be back in net for Philadelphia tonight. He has histoically played very well against New Jersey throughout his career and that trend continued this past Saturday in a 2-1 overtime loss. He will need another strong showing for the Flyers to come out victorious

Cory Scheider gets the start for New Jersey. Schneider made 31 saves in his last start on Saturday. Schneider is in the top five in save percentage and goals against average for the season and is the main reason New Jersey in currently in a playoff position.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Sean Couturier, Brandon Manning, Michael Del Zotto, Jordan Weal, Scott Laughton

Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
10 Brayden Schenn	28 Claude Giroux	17 Wayne Simmonds
20 R.J. Umberger	52 Nick Cousins	93 Jake Voracek
76 Chris VandeVelde	78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare	25 Ryan White
24 Matt Read	12 Michael Raffl	89 Sam Gagner
Defense
47 Andrew MacDonald	53 Shayne Gostisbehere
32 Mark Streit	55 Nick Schultz
82 Evgeny Medvedev	3 Radko Gudas
Goalie
30 Michal Neuvirth

Several changes come to the lineup on Tuesday night. Sam Gagner is back in for an injured Jordan Weal. He's on a line with Matt Read and Michael Raffl. Dave Hakstol has split Jake Voracek and Claude Giroux, with Voracek back on the right wing with Nick Cousins and R.J. Umberger. Brayden Schenn goes back to the left wing on the top line with Giroux and Wayne Simmonds.

Game Notes

• Power Play: Flyers (20th, 16th on road), Devils (7th, 8th at home) 
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (24th, 19 on road), Devils  (8th, 13th at home)
• Flyers rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has a point in each of his last 12 games and currently has the longest point streak in the NHL.
• Philadelphia is 81-101-15 all time against the Devils

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074.