After starting their current eight game road trip with three straight wins, the Philadelphia Flyers (14-17-7) have lost three of the last four in regulation. They will look to end the road trip with a win as they battle the New Jersey Devils (13-20-7) in Newark tonight. Game time is 7:00.
This is the third of four meetings between the two teams and first of two in New Jersey. The teams have split the first two meetings, both in Philadelphia. The Devils won the Flyers home opener back in October by a 6-4 count. The Flyers defeated New Jersey 4-1 back in December.
Last night in Carolina, Claude Giroux was blessed by the hockey gods. Giroux suffered what was feared as a potential major injury to his leg. The Flyer captain was cut by the skate of a Hurricane defenseman. He needed to be helped off the ice and down the Carolina tunnel.
The laceration turned out to be a non serious injury and Giroux is listed as probable for tonight's tilt.
In the last four games, the Flyers have been unable to generate sustained pressure during long stretches of the games. The top line of Giroux, Voracek and Raffl/Read have been held in check.
The secondary scoring that helped them to victories in Toronto and Winnipeg has not been as prevalent over the last week. Added to the struggles of the top line and penalty kill, you have a struggling hockey team.
The Flyers still have a chance to end the trip with a winning record if they can beat New Jersey tonight. They will need a performance identical to the one they had against the Devils back on December 11th in Philadelphia.
New Jersey comes into tonight struggling as well. The Devils are 1-4-1 in their last six games. It will be the first meeting of the teams since the three headed coaching system was implemented on the bench.
New Jersey is also coming off a loss last night. Like Philly, the Devils are also concluding a three games in four nights swing.
Former Flyer and ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr leads the Devils with 22 points. Cory Schneider has started 35 of the 40 games this season and figures to play again tonight.
Ray Emery looks to continue his recent success against New Jersey between the pipes for the Flyers.
Flyers scratches: Zac Rinaldo, Carlo Colaiacovo, Luke Schenn, Ryan White
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Brayden Schenn-Scott Laughton-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: R.J. Umberger-Sean Couturier-Matt Read
Line 4:Chris VandeVelde–Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Vincent Lecavalier
D-Pair 1: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Braydon Coburn-Nick Schultz
D-Pair 3:Andrew MacDonald-Michael Del Zotto
Goalie: Steve Mason
Where to Watch
TV: CSN Philly
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Bill Minchin is a contruibuting writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
