The Philadelphia Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Center looking to reclaim their momentum as they prepare to take on their Metropolitan Division rivals, the New Jersey Devils, for the second time in just over a week.
The Philadelphia Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Center looking to reclaim their momentum as they prepare to take on their Metropolitan Division rivals, the New Jersey Devils, for the second time in just over a week.
The Flyers were on a strong six-game point streak before recent back-to-back losses to the New York Rangers and New York Islanders slowed their roll. However, the team remains confident as they continue through this grueling stretch of Metro matchups, aiming to regain form before the upcoming 4-Nations Face-Off break.
Controlling the Middle
The last time these two teams met, the Flyers emerged victorious in Newark, thanks in large part to their ability to control the middle of the ice.
Philadelphia's structure was on a full display as they limited the Devils' speed through the neutral zone, disrupted their puck movement, and closed off lanes to the net. This forced the Devils, a team that thrives on transition offense, to play a more perimeter-focused game.
The Flyers will need to replicate that formula if they want to repeat their success. Controlling the middle doesn't just mean shutting down the neutral zone—it also extends to winning battles along the boards, outmuscling opponents in front of the net, and supporting each other in the defensive zone.
"[The Devils] are a team that went through some growing pains as far as being a bad team, and put their assets together and now they're growing. They're a legitimate top team in this league," John Tortorella said during Monday's morning skate. "They're balanced throughout their lineup. We're gonna have to play in the middle."
Tight, aware, and composed defensive play was instrumental in the previous matchup with the ability to anticipate plays and disrupt the Devils' flow. Replicating that discipline will be pivotal once again as the Flyers aim to neutralize New Jersey's high-octane offense.
Bouncing Back
While the Flyers' six-game point streak showcased their ability to compete at a high level, the consecutive losses to the Rangers and Islanders were a reminder of the challenges that come with facing a crowded and, as Tortorella put it, "weird" Metro-heavy schedule before the 4-Nations break.
Despite the setbacks, the Flyers remain steadfats in their belief that they can regian momentum and get back to their winning ways, emphasizing the importance of short memories and focusing on the task at hand.
"You try to get as much treatment as you can and take care of your body," forward Scott Laughton said of managing such a jam-packed January slate. "We're pretty fortunate with our travel schedule with how close teams are...We have a lot of division games coming up here and there are a lot of important games.
"We need to get on a roll here. I know we were rolling before the last two [games], so we just [have to] start collecting points here and see what happens."
The Flyers showed plenty of energy and generated some excellent offense in their recent games, but execution—particularly in the defensive zone—has been a sticking point. Cleaning up turnovers and tightening up coverage will be critical if the Flyers hope to keep the Devils' stars, like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, in check.
Offensively, the Flyers will look to reignite their scoring touch. While they've generated chances and put pressure on opposing goaltenders, finishing those opportunities will be key. Joel Farabee, Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and really everyone across the Flyers' four offensive lines has been creating offense, and they'll need to lead the charge against the Devils team that can quickly punish mistakes.
Maintaining Confidence Through the Metro Gauntlet
The Metropolitan Division is one of the toughest in the NHL, and the Flyers are in the midst of a stretch that truly tests their mettle. The Devils, Rangers, and Islanders are all teams with playoff aspirations, and the Flyers know that every point earned in these matchups is hard-fought.
Despite the recent losses, the Flyers' confidence hasn't wavered. This team has shown resilience throughout the season, and that mindset will be critical as they look to close out this stretch on a high note before the 4-Nations break.
The Flyers' ability to rise to the challenge against tough opponents has been a defining characteristic of their season, and they'll need that same determination to come out on top, not just against the Devils, but against the remainder of their opponents before the break.
"It's a weird part of the schedule," Tortorella acknowledged. "But it's not extra pressure. We've gotta take each and every game and try to stay in it. We're gonna take each and every game and try to be the best we can be."
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Owen Tippett - Morgan Frost - Travis Konecny
Joel Farabee - Sean Couturier - Matvei Michkov
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Anthony Richard - Scott Laughton - Garnet Hathaway
Defense:
Travis Sanheim - Jamie Drysdale
Cam York - Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler - Erik Johnson
Starting Goalie:
Sam Ersson
New Jersey Devils
Forwards:
Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier - Dawson Mercer - Stefan Noesen
Paul Cotter - Justin Dowling - Brian Halonen
Tomas Tatar - Curtis Lazar - Nathan Bastian
Defense:
Brenden Dillon - Dougie Hamilton
Jonas Siegenthaler - Johnathan Kovacevic
Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce
Starting Goalie:
Jake Allen