Flyers at Devils, Game 56: Notes, Lineups, and How to Watch
After seeing their win streak come to an end against the Leafs, the Flyers will try to move their point streak to six games. They will be taking this one outdoors in a matchup with the New Jersey Devils.
This is the third of four games between the Flyers and Devils. Each team has won a game, both being decided by a single goal. Philadelphia stormed back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period thanks to a goal in the final minute by Tyson Foerster. Unfortunately for them, overtime took less than 30 seconds as Luke Hughes scored the game-winner in the 4-3 victory on Nov. 30.
A few weeks later, the Flyers got revenge in another overtime game. Three of the four regulation goals came in the second period, two off the stick of Ryan Poehling. The teams needed most of overtime to decide a winner, as Owen Tippett gave Philadelphia the 3-2 win on Dec. 19.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are no stranger to dealing with the elements of an outdoor game. Going back to 2019, Philadelphia dealt with a cold and rainy night at Lincoln Financial Field. The weather was at its worst during the third period and overtime. Move to 2021, and the sun was a delaying factor at Lake Tahoe. You never know what can happen when you take the game outside, but with the early snow gone, it should just be about surviving the cold.
It's also about finding the balance between enjoying the atmosphere and realizing the potential playoff implications of this game. In mid-February, the Flyers sit comfortably in third place. But they know as well as anyone how quickly things can change. Any extended losing streak can have them looking up at other teams. They bring a five-game point streak into Saturday night, helping them create space between their opposition.
They will have the services of their captain, Sean Couturier, who took a nasty slash to the back of the knee against Toronto. Couturier later confirmed that it caught him in a spot without padding and was just a contusion. Cam York, who also suffered an upper-body injury, is a game-time decision. He took part in practice on Friday and should be ready to play. York did elaborate that despite those thinking it was his head that was the problem, it was a separate issue.
The Flyers will rally around Sam Ersson, who will play in his first professional outdoor game. He will also have his parents in town as they traveled from Sweden to see him play. Ersson has played well since taking over the Flyers' net as the go-to guy. He brings a personal four-game point streak into the evening. Having long past his career high in games, Ersson deserves this moment on a national stage.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Joel Farabee - Morgan Frost - Cam Atkinson
Garnet Hathaway - Ryan Poehling - Noah Cates
Scott Laughton - Olle Lycksell
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Sean Walker
Marc Staal - Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula
Sam Ersson
New Jersey Devils
The Devils are fighting for their playoff lives right now. While there are still about two months left in the season, they will need to put together quite the stretch and get help from other teams. They are on the outside looking in and have lost three of six and five of their last eight games. That won't cut it in a division pulling away at the top. The Devils are seven points out of a division spot, though they sit only two out of the wild card. Regardless, they need to put a good stretch together.
They have been happy to have Jack Hughes back in the lineup. Though not their leading scorer, he is one of their most dynamic players. He has four points in the last three games and is looking to move his streak to four straight games. Tyler Toffoli, in his first season with the Devils, leads the group with 23 goals. The Flyers need to watch out for Jesper Bratt, who leads New Jersey with 57 points. He has nine goals and 20 points in 26 career games against Philadelphia.
With Viteck Vanecek sidelined due to injury and illness, rookie goaltender Nico Daws has gotten more playing time recently. He, like Ersson, has earned the trust and confidence of his teammates and coach. The numbers are respectable, as he comes in with a 2.93 GA and a .909 SV% in his second season with the Devils. Akira Schmid is available if need be, but he hasn't played since Dec. 21. So expect to see Daws in the net.
Devils Projected Lineup
Ondrej Palat - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Jack Hughes - Erik Haula - Tyler Toffoli
Timo Meier - Curtis Lazar - Dawson Mercer
Alexander Holtz - Tomas Nosek - Nate Bastian
Kevin Bahl - Simon Nemec
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Brendan Smith - Colin Miller
Nico Daws
When, Where, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 8:00 PM
Where: MetLife Stadium
Watch: ABC/ESPN+
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: FuboTV
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