Some people say playoff odds don’t matter. To an extent, that is true. Not long ago, the Philadelphia Flyers (37-32-11) had favorable odds of claiming a postseason berth before dropping each game between stops in Montreal. Before they face off against the New Jersey Devils (38-37-5) tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, the Flyers have a 15.1% chance of reaching the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The remaining scenarios to break into the postseason are:
- Philadelphia Flyers win out, and the Pittsburgh Penguins finish 1-1-1 or 1-2-0
- Philadelphia Flyers win out, and the Washington Capitals finish 1-1-1 or 1-2-0
- Philadelphia Flyers win out, and the Red Wings finish 1-2-0
None of that matters if Philadelphia cannot defeat the Devils.
They want to defeat their rivals from across the Walt Whitman Bridge with Wayne Simmonds in attendance. Spirits will be up, on and off the ice, due to Simmonds retiring in South Philly. It’ll be up to the Flyers to carry their style of play from their road win at Madison Square Garden.
Structure and simplicity put Philadelphia back into the win column. Now, the Flyers have to stay there.
New Jersey Devils
In their last five games, the Devils are 2-2-1. Recently, they’re coming off an electric road win in Toronto, 6-5. Jesper Bratt scored the game-winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs with 1:14 remaining in regulation.
Luke Hughes accumulated two powerplay assists, cycling the puck to the right of his position for a one-timer by Timo Meier and Bratt. He struggled at even-strength, taking six hits, half of those from John Tavares, and turning the puck over. In his last five games, Hughes totaled five assists. Hughes scored one goal against Philadelphia this season back in November 2023.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the New Jersey Devils:
Clarke-Hischier-Bratt
Meier-Haula-Mercer
Palat-Bowers-Holtz
Nosek-Tierney-Foote
Hughes-Marino
Bahl-Smith
Siegenthaler-Nemec
Allen
(Kahkonen)
Philadelphia Flyers
In their last five games, the Flyers are 1-3-1. Recently, they’re coming off a road win against the New York Rangers, 4-1. Bobby Brink scored the game-winner with 16:31 remaining in the second period.
Egor Zamula and Tyson Foerster helped provide structure in front of Sam Ersson. While they didn’t contribute a goal or assist on the scoreboard, their play on the ice helped to stop the top team in the NHL. Zamula, in 18:43, had a shot on goal, a hit on Mika Zibanejad, and two blocked shots. Foerster, in 16:12, recorded a high-danger scoring chance, a hit, a blocked shot, and a takeaway. Both players combined for three points (2G, 1A) versus New Jersey, where Foerster scored both goals, and Zamula provided the assist.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Foerster-Poehling-Konecny
Tippett-Frost-Brink
Farabee-Laughton-Atkinson
Cates-Couturier-Hathaway
York-Sanheim
Seeler-Drysdale
Zamula-Johnson
Ersson
(Fedotov)
Place Your Bets (via Draft Kings Sportsbook)
New Jersey Devils (+105)
Philadelphia Flyers (-125)
Luke Hughes over .5pt (+100)
Tyson Foerster under .5pt (-135)
Tyson Foerster under 2.5SOG (-190)
Game Information
Watch the Philadelphia Flyers host the New Jersey Devils on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Listen to the radio broadcast on 97.5 The Fanatic. The puck drops at 5pm.
(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
