Flyers

Flyers-Devils: Game 8 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
Author photo
Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published20 Oct 2018

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2-13-2018_FlyersvsDevils_3rd_credKateFrese-4

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Devils: Game 8 Preview

Thursday night was just another example of the Flyers struggles on full display. The road to finding the consistency needed to succeed doesn't get any easier with another Metropolitan Division opponent.

The New Jersey Devils started the season with wins in four straight games before a 5-3 loss to Colorado on Thursday. The eight points is good for second in the division in the young season. Between the reigning Hart Trophy winner, the 2017 NHL Draft first-overall pick and a veteran player off to a roaring start, the Flyers are in for a challenge.

Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P New Jersey Devils GP G A P
Claude Giroux 7 3 7 10 Kyle Palmieri 5 7 1 8
Jake Voracek 7 2 6 8 Taylor Hall 5 1 6 7
Wayne Simmonds 7 5 1 6 Nico Hischier 5 2 2 4
Robert Hagg 7 2 3 5 Damon Severson 5 0 4 4
Radko Gudas 6 0 5 5 Jean-Sebastian Dea 5 3 0 3
 
Player to Watch
11 Travis Konecny 21 Kyle Palmieri
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -1 Last 5 Games: 7 G, 1 A, 8 P, +2
 
Travis Konecny finally got his first goal of the season on Thursday night and there was certainly relief on his face to finally be on the scoresheet. His line was easily the Flyers best among forwards on Thursday and looking to build momentum as the season continues Saturday.
 
Kyle Palmieri is already a noted Flyer killer with 10 goals in 16 career games against the Flyers. He's also off to one of the hottest starts in the NHL this season with seven goals in five games.
 
Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 1 Keith Kinkaid
1-3-0, 4.04 GAA, .874 SV% 4-1-0, 1.61 GAA, .941 SV%

After getting Thursday night off, Brian Elliott returns between the pipes for the Flyers looking for a bounce-back performance. Elliott was pulled in the third period of Tuesday's shootout win for the Flyers and still has just one win on the season, the season opener in Vegas.

With Cory Schneider on the shelf, Keith Kinkaid has been the starter in all five games so far for New Jersey and figures to be back in the lineup on Saturday in goal. 

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: James van Riemsdyk, Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Mikhail Vorobyev, Corban Knight, Andrew MacDonald

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 17 Wayne Simmonds
23 Oskar Lindblom 40 Jordan Weal 11 Travis Konecny
21 Scott Laughton 19 Nolan Patrick 93 Jake Voracek
12 Michael Raffl 15 Jori Lehtera 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
8 Robert Hagg 26 Christian Folin  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

Nolan Patrick returns to the lineup after missing the last three games with an upper-body injury. Instead of returning to the second line, he will center a new-look third line that features Jake Voracek and Scott Laughton back on the left wing. Michael Raffl returns to the fourth line. Wayne Simmonds was elevated to the first line.

Devils Projected Lineup

Injuries: Travis Zajac, Ben Lovejoy, Jesper Bratt, Cory Schneider

Left Wing Center Right Wing
9 Taylor Hall 13 Nico Hischier 21 Kyle Palmieri
90 Marcus Johansson 10 Jean-Sebastian Dea 23 Stefan Noesen
44 Miles Wood 37 Pavel Zacha 20 Blake Coleman
11 Brian Boyle 58 Kevin Rooney 18 Drew Stafford
Defense    
25 Mirco Mueller 45 Sami Vatanen  
6 Andy Greene 28 Damon Severson  
8 Will Butcher 16 Steven Santisi  
Goalie    
1 Keith Kinkaid    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (17th), Devils (13th)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (21st), Devils (4th) 
  • Recent History vs. Devils
    • Jan. 13, 2018 – Flyers 5, Devils 3 (at NJ)
    • Jan. 20, 2018 – Flyers 3, Devils 1 (at PHI)
    • Feb. 1, 2018 – Devils 4, Flyers 3 (at NJ)
    • Feb. 13, 2018 – Devils 5, Flyers 4 F/SO (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Devils
    • Claude Giroux – 44 GP, 11 G, 31 A, 42 P
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 11 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 P
    • Jake Voracek – 34 GP, 6 G, 16 A, 22 P
    • Brian Elliott – 9 GP, 5-4-0, 2.69 GAA, .894 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Jake Voracek needs two assists to pass John LeClair for 12th all-time in Flyers history.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic