The Matchup: The New Jersey Devils (7-14-2) vs. the Philadelphia Flyers (15-6-3). Another early game as the puck drops at 1pm today.
The Devils Last Game: The Devils looked to finally be putting some kind of winning streak together, having defeated the Capitals and then the Flames. There was no better time to face the Islanders who came into this game having lost 14 straight. The Devils scorers looked to still be on a Thanksgiving Holiday as they took the night off and watched the Islanders skate away with a 2-0 win.
The Last Flyers Game: It was the Flyers turn to take on the Flames and like the Devils, the Flames took the Flyers into OT and then finally a shootout. Unlike the Devils game, the Flames found a way to beat the Flyers in a shootout.
Today’s Game: I never like playing the Flyers but up until yesterday, the Devils seemed like they were finding confidence. Now, after yesterdays awful performance, I am wondering about which team will show up for this game, sort of like I was wondering which team would show up for the Washington game last Monday. However, I am not expecting the Devils to suddenly put 5 goals in today.
The Devils were flat yesterday and I expect them to have a better showing today. If the Devils find themselves up a man at any point of this game, they need to play smart on the PP. The Flyers have a league leading 6 shorthanded goals this season.
Who’s Hot: After posting his first career two-point game against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, Flyers forward Andreas Nodl has 9 points (5 goals) in his last 11 games. The third-year forward has notched two more goals (six) than the Devils’ Kovalchuk in seven fewer games. … Devils rookie wing Mattias Tedenby has 2 goals, 4 points and a plus-5 rating in his last four games.
Injury report : The Devils will be without goalie Martin Brodeur (bruised elbow), forward Jamie Langenbrunner (upper body) and defenseman Matt Taormina (sprained left ankle). Langenbrunner (seven games missed) has begun skating on his own. Flyers forward Dan Carcillo (sprained MCL, left knee), defenseman Matt Walker (right hip surgery) and goalie Michael Leighton (back surgery) are out.
