The Philadelphia Flyers (29-20-7) traveled up the turnpike this weekend for a tilt against the New Jersey Devils (28-22-4) in the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium.
Coming into Saturday’s game, the Flyers haven’t had the most success in outdoor games with a 1-3-1 record. After Saturday’s game, their outdoor record will shift to 1-4-1 following another loss.
Since returning from the All-Star break, the Flyers have secured points in every game. On Saturday, the Devils put an end to the point streak, winning 6-3 in a Metropolitan Division showdown.
Here is how the matchup went down:
Flyers vs. Devils
The Devils wasted no time getting off to an early lead. Just 32 seconds into the first period, Devils captain Nico Hischier opened the scoring. As Philly was in the offensive zone, a loose puck got tangled up between the referee’s legs and Ondrej Palat made a successful attempt to clear it and set up Hischier for a breakaway, 1-0.
With 6:30 remaining in the first, Tyler Toffoli doubled the lead for New Jersey. On a Devils faceoff win, Jack Hughes dished the puck to Brendan Smith whose shot rebounded off of Sam Ersson’s pads and bounced to an open Toffoli, 2-0.
The Flyers came out hot to start the second period. Being heavy on the forecheck and creating more chances, it all led to Owen Tippett notching his 20th goal of the season, 2-1. Travis Konecny entered the zone, regained the puck quickly after losing it, and fed Tippett who ripped a shot past Nico Daws.
Smith answered for the Devils following Tippett’s goal, 3-1. Hischier fired a shot from the top of the faceoff circle and Smith found open space to put the rebound behind Ersson.
With 2:12 left, Nathan Bastian extended the Devils’ lead again, 4-1. Entering the offensive zone, Bastian picked up a loose puck and rifled a shot that beat Ersson.
But before the period could conclude, Tippett cut the lead in half on the powerplay. His 21st of the year, Morgan Frost and Konecny connected on a passing play that saw Tippett cash in at the end.
Just like in the first, the Devils got back onto the scoreboard early in the third period, 5-2. Hischier, again, sniped a shot from just above the hash marks that beat Ersson and gave the Devils a three-goal cushion.
Near the halfway mark of the period, Nick Seeler fired home his first goal of the season. From a feed by Scott Laughton, Seeler picked his corner against Daws to bring the Flyers back to within two, 5-3.
The Flyers elected to pull Ersson early, but no momentum was gained on having the extra attacker out. Bastian would pot his second goal of the game on the Flyers’ empty net, 6-3.
The Flyers peppered Daws with shots, finishing with 46, but the rookie goaltender put up a career-high in saves en route to a Devils victory.
PK Goes Perfect
A bright spot for the Flyers in the loss was their effort on the penalty kill. In a feisty game between both sides, the Flyers picked up 12 penalty minutes in total but the league’s second-best unit fended off every Devils man advantage, which features some of the NHL’s most electric players.
Seeler’s First of 2023-24
Seeler isn’t a name you see on the scoresheet often. He has nine assists this year, but scoring his first goal, in the Stadium Series nonetheless, is a great reward for one of the Flyers’ grittiest players.
With the trade deadline approaching, Seeler’s name has been brought up in potential deals, but it’s more likely that the Flyers extend the 30-year-old defenseman.
Up Next
The Flyers will travel to the Windy City to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)
