Don’t look now. The Philadelphia Flyers (17-10-3) are the hottest team in the Philadelphia sports market. They hope to extend their eight-game points streak tonight against the New Jersey Devils (16-12-1).
Samuel Ersson added another shutout this season, 1-0, versus the Detroit Red Wings. Responsible for the lone goal was Cam York on a sharp angle shot that deflected off JT Compher.
“I feel like we are a team that can win six-to-five or like tonight, one-nothing. It’s something that’s really important to be able to do. I think it’s something that we didn’t do great last year and that we’re doing really good this year. If we can continue to do that, we’re going to have a lot more success.”
Cam York; 12/16/2023
Tonight’s matchup will be the last time these rivals meet before the 2024 Stadium Series clash at MetLife Stadium.
New Jersey Devils
Both clubs were physical when New Jersey defeated Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center in overtime, 4-3. Lindy Ruff doesn’t want his lineup to get too involved with the extracurriculars, sticking to their game:
“We have to play our game. You got to be ready to compete in the small areas; win the battles. You win more of the battles, you get more puck possession, and we get to play our game.”
Lindy Ruff; 12/19/2023
Luke Hughes was subject to a hit from Garnet Hathaway the last time these teams met. It was a point of controversy, where both teams had a reason to side-eye the officials. Hathaway hit Hughes, who flew into the boards, as a late icing whistle blew simultaneously. That lit a fire under Hughes, who would score the game-winning goal in overtime.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the New Jersey Devils, per Amanda Stein:
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Haula-Hughes-Toffoli
Meier-Mercer-Holtz
Lazar-McLeod-Bastian
Siegenthaler-Nemec
Bahl-Marino
Smith-Hughes
Vanecek
(Schmid)
Philadelphia Flyers
John Tortorella was short-spoken in his message. He doesn’t want his lineup going about their business with too much caution. The emphasis is, in a word, readiness.
“Play. Be ready to start the game and play. I think they [New Jersey Devils] lose big here last game; they’ll be ready to play tonight. All it is for me, as I said the other day, is readiness.”
John Tortorella; 12/19/2023
There is a little animosity between Travis Konecny and Brendan Smith. Konecny was fined $5000 for a cross-check, which invited Smith to wind up his stick for a baseball-swinging slash. For his efforts, Smith was suspended for two games. Between Hathaway and Konecny, expect this second meeting to remain chippy.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Foerster-Couturier-Konecny
Tippett-Frost-Brink
Farabee-Poehling-Atkinson
Deslauriers-Laughton-Hathaway
York-Sanheim
Seeler-Walker
Zamula-Ristolainen
Ersson
(Petersen)
Place Your Bets (via DraftKings)
Philadelphia Flyers (+136)
New Jersey Devils (-162)
Travis Konecny anytime goal (+145)
Luke Hughes over .5pt (+120)
Game Information
Watch the Philadelphia Flyers visit the New Jersey Devils tonight at 7pm. The telecast is available on NBC Sports Philadelphia, and you can listen to the radio broadcast on 97.5 the Fanatic.
