Flyers-Devils: Game 78 Preview

(Kate Frese/Sports Talk Philly)

By Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

The Flyers have a slim chance at making the playoffs, and that is largely due to a collapse in their last game against the New Jersey Devils on March 16.

The Flyers have won three straight games and while trending in the right direction, would need a miracle to still make the playoffs at this point. In fact, given the success of teams ahead of them in the standings, the Flyers could be mathematically eliminated on Saturday night if the right scenario happens.

The Flyers have not defeated the Devils this season, making the task that much more difficult.

The opening faceoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Travis Konecny has been relegated to a checking role by Dave Hakstol, as of late. The injury to Matt Read has opened a massive opportunity for Konecny, as he will start on the first line with Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek, the Flyers two leading scorers, in the absence of Read.

Kyle Palmieri, the Devils leading goal scorer, has not found the net in the last six games, but he has not had that problem against the Flyers this season. In three games against the Flyers, Palmieri has three goals and one assist with a plus-4 rating. Palmieri tends to play a big role against the Flyers, and look for him to do so again on Saturday night.

Steve Mason is carrying the Flyers at the end of the season again, but Mason has never defeated the Devils (0-9) in his career. With that in mind, Michal Neuvirth will get the start. In Neuvirth's last start he played well, stopping 20 of 21 shots in a 1-0 loss to Sergei Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets.

Cory Schneider has been one of few bright spots for the Devils this season. The once coveted prospect is now a workhorse goaltender who makes the Devils better as a whole. Unfortunately he does not make them good enough, as he only won one of his last 11 games. Keith Kinkaid got the start last night against the Islanders, so expect head coach John Hynes to go with a different goalie on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Roman Lyubimov, Nick Schultz, Mike Vecchione, Nick Cousins (upper-body injury, day-to-day), Michael Raffl (lower-body injury, out 5-7 weeks), Matt Read (upper-body injury, out 6-8 weeks)

Game Notes

• Power Play: Flyers (15th, 11th at home), Devils (18th, 23rd on road)
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (22nd, 14th at home), Devils (21st, 5th on road) 
• Recent History vs. Devils
  • Dec. 22, 2016 – The first time these two teams met this season the Flyers offense sputtered, only mustering 16 shots on Cory Schneider. Schneider would get the shutout in a 4-0 Devils victory. PA Parenteau scored a goal and an assist, as did Adam Henrique.
  • Jan. 21, 2017 – The Flyers did not have a hard getting shots on goal in the second meeting, but Keith Kinkaid turned away 35 of 36 Flyers shots to lead the Devils to a 4-1 victory. Mike Cammalleri had two assists and Kyle Palmieri scored the game-winning goal on the power play for the Devils in the second period. Miles Wood added two goals for the Devils while Nick Cousins scored the Flyers lone goal.
  • Mar. 16, 2017 - The last meeting was an especially bad one for the Flyers. With the wild card in reach the Flyers needed a victory, but fell flat in a 6-2 loss. Taylor Hall, and Adam Henrique each scored twice. Kyle Palmieri added a goal and an assist. The Flyers goals were scored by Michael Del Zotto and Brayden Schenn. Del Zotto scored early in the game, but the Devils responded with three unanswered goals and then three more in the third period to put the game, and maybe the wild card, out of reach.
• Milestone Watch
  • Claude Giroux remains two goals away from 15th all-time in Flyers history.
  • Wayne Simmonds needs four points to reach 400 in his career.
  • Dale Weise is two points away from 100 in his career.

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic