Ray Emery starts in goal for the Flyers in the final game of a six-game road trip against the Devils. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
As freezing temperatures hit the Delaware Valley on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Flyers make their return to the East Coast, and things are certain to heat up on the ice as two Metropolitan Division rivals with a long history meet for the third time this season.
The New Jersey Devils are the final team on a slate of six straight road games for the Flyers. It has been a very successful road trip for the Flyers, not just by the final results. During their 4-1 record, the Flyers amassed three comeback wins in the third period.
The team bonding of the trip may be more important than the results, especially as the Flyers prepare to mix the home and road games evenly and enter the final month before a long Olympic break disrupts the NHL's schedule.
The Flyers close out the road trip with the Devils, losers of two straight games. The team is battling injuries with Patrik Elias, Damien Brunner and Adam Larsson on injured reserve.
Former Flyer Jaromir Jagr is leading the Devils in points. Jagr has 34 points, including a team-leading 21 assists. He is tied for the team lead in goals with Michael Ryder with 13.
Marek Zidlicky and Andy Greene are the two stars on defense while Adam Henrique, Travis Zajac, Dainius Zubrus and Andrei Loktionov benefit New Jersey's offense.
The Devils average just 2.3 goals per game. But their defense is also strong, allowing just 2.4 goals per game.
Recently snubbed by Canada's Olympic team, Claude Giroux powers the top line in the road trip finale with a pair of Olympians. Michael Raffl is expected to return to the lineup and Jake Voracek remains one of the team leaders as the road trip comes to a close.
The second line of Wayne Simmonds, Scott Hartnell and Brayden Schenn has also been heating up as of late. With the Flyers strong scoring in recent games, this could be a game they could steal early in the game.
The Devils will start Martin Brodeur – 12-9-3-3, 2.36 GAA – against the Flyers Ray Emery – 4-7-0-1, 3.03 GAA.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (18th, 5th on road), Devils (15th, 26th at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (9th, 11th on road), Devils (3rd, 2nd at home)
- Tonight marks the third time the Flyers and Devils have met this season. The Flyers shut out the Devils, 1-0, on Nov. 2 and the Devils shut out the Flyers, 3-0, on Nov. 7.
- Milestone Watch: Steve Downie is one assist away from 100 in his career. Vincent Lecavalier is two assists from 500 for his career.
Flyers scratches: Matt Read, Erik Gustafsson, Hal Gill, Chris VandeVelde
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Scott Hartnell-Brayden Schenn-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: Steve Downie-Sean Couturier-Vincent Lecavalier
Line 4: Jay Rosehill-Adam Hall-Zac Rinaldo
D-Pair 1: Kimmo Timonen-Braydon Coburn
D-Pair 2: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 3: Luke Schenn-Andrej Meszaros
Goalie: Ray Emery
Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
