Flyers Riding Momentum After Islanders Win, Devils Eager to Bounce Back
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils: Saturday Showdown at Prudential Center
As the NHL season intensifies, the Philadelphia Flyers (20-20-6) head to the Prudential Center to face the New Jersey Devils (26-15-6) on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 PM ET. This highly anticipated matchup marks the first meeting of the season between the two teams, who have historically shared an intense rivalry. While both teams come into the game with different recent performances, their competitive spirits are bound to make this a thrilling contest. Let’s dive into our Flyers vs. Devils prediction.
Philadelphia Flyers: Seeking Momentum After Defeating Islanders
The Flyers enter this game with the confidence of a 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders, securing their third win in the last four games. They’ll look to keep this momentum going as they aim for back-to-back wins. Despite their inconsistent season, they’ve shown signs of offensive potency, averaging 3.04 goals per game, with standout performances from top players like Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov. Konecny, who has racked up 53 points with 20 goals and 33 assists, led the charge in the win over New York, recording three assists.
However, Philadelphia’s defense remains a concern, allowing 3.41 goals per game, ranking 28th in the league. They’ll need to tighten up defensively to have a chance against New Jersey, especially after giving up three goals to the Islanders. In goal, Samuel Ersson saved 26 of 29 shots in the win, continuing his solid performance this season with a 12-7-2 record and a 2.87 GAA. However, he will need to keep his save percentage sharp to handle the Devils’ offensive threats.
The Flyers also face some injury concerns, with Ryan Poehling, Samuel Ersson, and Sean Couturier all listed as questionable for this game. The availability of these key players could influence the outcome of this rivalry matchup.
New Jersey Devils: Looking to Bounce Back After Losses
After briefly riding a high following a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Devils have struggled in recent games, suffering two consecutive losses to Florida and Toronto. The loss to the Maple Leafs, a 4-3 setback, was particularly hard-fought, with the Devils showing resilience but ultimately falling short. Jack Hughes continues to lead the Devils’ offense with 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists), including a goal and two assists in the loss to Toronto. Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier are also key contributors, tallying 52 and 39 points, respectively.
New Jersey’s defensive prowess remains one of its strongest attributes, ranking 5th in the league with just 2.53 goals allowed per game. However, they gave up four goals to the Maple Leafs, and they’ll need to bounce back from this defeat and play more disciplined defense to protect their home ice. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who has posted a 21-8-5 record with a 2.20 GAA and .913 save percentage, will need to be on top of his game to fend off the Flyers’ offense.
The Devils also have injury concerns, with Stefan Noesen, Ondrej Palat, Curtis Lazar, and Jake Allen all listed as questionable for this game. New Jersey’s depth could be tested if these players are unable to go.
Conclusion
Both teams come into this game with something to prove. Philadelphia has the offensive firepower to challenge New Jersey’s defense, but their defensive struggles will likely keep this matchup competitive. On the other hand, New Jersey’s balanced game plan and defensive solidity make them a tough opponent, but they’ll need to shake off the effects of their recent losses to return to their winning ways.
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