New Jersey has an all-time record of 122-116-18-8 against Philadelphia.
The New Jersey Devils will visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. The Devils did not hold a morning skate, and head coach Lindy Ruff will meet with the media at 5:00 P.M.
The club held an optional practice on Wednesday with 10 participants on the ice: Vitek Vanecek, Akira Schmid, Kevin Bahl, Luke Hughes, Curtis Lazar, Michael McLeod, Chris Tierney, Nathan Bastian, Jesper Bratt, and Samuel Laberge.
Devils @ Flyers - Wells Fargo Center
Last season, the Devils had a 2-2-0 record versus the Flyers, including a 7-0 victory on Feb. 25 at Prudential Center. Dawson Mercer has five points (three goals, two assists) in seven games versus Philadelphia. First-overall pick Jack Hughes has collected four points over his last three meetings versus tonight's opponent dating back to Dec. 3, 2022.
The Flyers are fourth in the Metropolitan Divison (11-10-1). They are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Travis Konecny scored his team's lone goal, and goaltender Carter Hart made 32 saves on 35 shots. On Nov. 28, the organization announced that Noah Cates would be out for six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury.
- New Jersey's injury report includes Timo Meier (lower body), Tomas Nosek (upper body), Erik Haula (lower body), and Dougie Hamilton (upper body).
- Philadelphia's injury report includes Noah Cates (lower body).
- Alexander Holtz and Michael McLeod scored their first NHL goals versus the Flyers.
- Something to notice is that when the Flyers have scored first in a game, they have a record of 11-1-0. When trailing first, the Flyers are 0-9-1. The Devils are 7-8-1 when trailing first in a game this season, which ranked first in the NHL with Colorado, as of Nov. 29.
- Per the Flyers, the team has lost three of their last four games and has scored a combined four regulation goals in that span. Philadelphia averaged 35 shots on goal in that duration.
- Brendan Smith has earned an assist in consecutive games, which marked the first time since Apr. 20, 2021, to Apr. 22, 2021, that he earned points in back-to-back games.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Their lineup in their last game:
Ondrej Palat -Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer
Alexander Holtz - Michael McLeod - Curtis Lazar
Brendan Smith - Chris Tierney - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Luke Hughes - Colin Miller
Vitek Vanecek/Akira Schmid
** Dougie Hamilton is a question mark entering tonight's game. Brendan Smith may return to defense, and Laberge will draw into the lineup to make his NHL debut.
Philadelphia:
Tyson Foerster - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett - Morgan Frost - Bobby Brink
Joel Farabee - Scott Laughton - Cam Atkinson
Nicolas Deslauriers - Ryan Poehling - Garnet Hathaway
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Sean Walker
Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen
Carter Hart/Samuel Ersson
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle play-by-play alongside analyst Ken Daneyko and host Erika Wachter. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.