PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Check back before the game for updates from head coach Lindy Ruff.
DEVILS (19-4-1) vs FLYERS (8-11-5)
TV: Televised at 7 p.m. ET; MSGSN
RADIO: Live at 7 p.m. ET; Devils Hockey Network
Head-to-Head:
The Devils and Flyers meet for the second time this season, and second time in Philadelphia. The previous meeting marked the season opener for both squads.
The Flyers earned a 5-2 victory in that contest. Alexander Holtz scored his first-career NHL goal in the game. Travis Konecny and Morgan Frost each scored two goals for Philly.
Devils Team Scope:
The Devils are coming off their first overtime loss of the season Thursday night, 4-3, to the Nashville Predators. Still, New Jersey is 16-1-1 in its past 18 games and ranks first in the National Hockey League with 39 points.
Jack Hughes has a current four-game point streak (5g-2a). He also recorded his 10th multi-point game (two assists) and 20th career multi-point game against Nashville. Hughes leads the team with 12 goals and 28 points. Jesper Bratt has a team-best 18 assists to go with 27 points. Captain Nico Hischier has 10 goals and 26 points.
Forward Miles Wood, who missed Thursday’s game due to illness, returned to practice Friday.
Flyers Team Scope:
The Flyers have only won one game in their last 12 games (1-7-4), including a 4-1 setback to the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night.
Forward Kevin Hayes leads the club in goals (8), assists (16) and points (24). He’s followed by Travis Konecny (8g-12a-20pts). In goal, Carter Hart has played remarkably despite difficult circumstances. The goaltender is 7-6-4 with a 2.81 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
Injuries have decimated the Flyers this season, to key players such as Cam Atkinson, Sean Couturier, James van Riemsdyk and Ryan Ellis. Atkinson, Couturier and Ellis haven’t played a game yet this season.
By The Numbers:
Devils forward Jack Hughes has 20 career multi-point games, tying Scott Gomez for second most by a Devils skater before the age of 22. Only Kirk Muller (33) had more.
The Flyers rank second in the NHL with 433 blocked shots and 729 hits.
Injuries
Devils
Bastian (upper-body)
Blackwood (MCL sprain, IR)
Bernier (hip, LTIR)
Wood (illness)
Flyers
Allison (oblique muscle strain, IR)
Atkinson (upper-body)
Couturier (back, IR)
DeAngelo (lower-body)
Ellis (groin/hip/back, IR)
Van Riemsdyk (upper-body, IR)