Gameday 65 Preview: Flyers vs. Devils
The Philadelphia Flyers are at a bit of a crossroads right now.
They dropped a frustrating game to the Kraken last night, one where they controlled the puck, generated chances, and—somehow—had almost nothing to show for it.
The defense looked shaky. The offense looked snakebitten. And John Tortorella? Well, he's made it clear that if they don't get things back on track fast, this homestand could start heading in the wrong direction.
So, that brings us to tonight: a second game of a back-to-back against a Devils team that, for all its inconsistency this year, still packs plenty of firepower. This is exactly the kind of moment where we see what this Flyers group is really made of.
1. The Flyers Need to Capitalize on Their Offensive Zone Time
The loss to Seattle wasn't for a lack of effort. The Flyers were all over the offensive zone for large stretches of the game, cycling the puck well, creating high-danger chances, and generally doing everything except putting the puck in the net. It was one of those nights where it seemed like no matter what they did, nothing went in.
Owen Tippett admitted that losing guys like Scott Laughton and Erik Johnson affects the room, but it's not an excuse for the loss: 'This is our group for the rest of the year, so we've gotta find ways to win.' #LetsGoFlyers
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 8, 2025
And this isn't the first time we've seen this. The Flyers have had stretches this season where they control possession and generate quality chances, only to come up empty. That can't happen against the Devils.
New Jersey is too talented to let off the hook. If the Flyers want to come away with two points, they need to make sure their offensive zone pressure turns into actual goals. That means getting to the front of the net and finishing those second and third opportunities. It means getting traffic in front of the goalie to make life difficult. It means taking advantage of rebounds and broken plays instead of just making things look pretty on the perimeter.
Guys like Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink are going to be key here. They've been dangerous lately, but the Flyers need them to convert those looks into points.
2. A Big Opportunity for Ivan Fedotov
John Tortorella is giving Sam Ersson a breather tonight, which means Ivan Fedotov gets another chance to build on his recent solid performances.
Fedotov has had an up-and-down transition to the NHL, but lately, he's shown real promise. His positioning has been strong, he's tracking the puck better, and he's made some huge saves in key moments. The Flyers are hoping he can carry that momentum into this game, because they'll need him to be sharp.
Lineup update for #NJDvsPHI: Ivan Fedotov will start in net. Cam York draws back into the lineup. Emil Andrae comes out. pic.twitter.com/vxJx6oYvfD
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 9, 2025
The Devils, despite their struggles this season, still have some of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league. Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier can make life miserable for a goalie if they're given space to work with. And with the Flyers' defense looking shaky last night (Jamie Drysdale being the exception), Fedotov could be in for a busy night.
The question is: Can he step up in a high-pressure game?
With the Flyers still scrapping for a playoff spot, every point matters, and their goaltending has to be strong down the stretch. Fedotov doesn't have to steal the game outright, but he does need to come up with key saves at the right moments. If he does that, the Flyers will be in business.
3. The Flyers Have to Handle the Devils' Speed Game
If there's one area where New Jersey can really burn you, it's in transition. When the Devils are playing their game, they're flying through the neutral zone, catching teams on their heels, and generating odd-man rushes. That's been a problem for the Flyers at times this year, and if they're not careful, it could be a problem again tonight.
The Devils love to attack with speed, and they have the skill to finish those chances. Even without Jack Huges in the lineup, they have plenty of offensive firepower. Jesper Bratt can weave through defenders like a magician. Even their defensemen, guys like Luke Hughes, are aggressive in jumping up on the rush.
So, how do the Flyers counter that?
First, they have to manage the puck better than they did last night. Turnovers in bad areas—especially at the blue lines—are a death sentence against a team like New Jersey. The Flyers need to make smart decisions with the puck, avoid forcing plays that aren't there, and stay structured in the neutral zone.
Second, their defense needs to be more disciplined. The Kraken exposed some loose coverage last night, and the Devils have the skill to do even more damage if given the same opportunities. This means staying tight in coverage, limiting time and space, and—most importantly—keeping their feet moving. If the Flyers get caught flat-footed, the Devils will feast.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Matvei Michkov
Olle Lycksell - Ryan Poehling - Travis Konecny
Nicolas Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Jakob Pelletier
Defense:
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen
Goalies:
Ivan Fedotov
Samuel Ersson
New Jersey Devils
Forwards:
Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Stefan Noesen
Ondrej Palat - Dawson Mercer - Jesper Bratt
Erik Haula - Cody Glass - Daniel Sprong
Tomas Tatar - Curtis Lazar - Nathan Bastian
Defense:
Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce
Brian Dumoulin - Jonathan Kovacevic
Brenden Dillon - Dennis Cholowski
Goalies:
Jake Allen
Jacob Markstrom
Three Takeaways From Flyers Loss vs. Kraken The Philadelphia Flyers knew this homestand wasn't going to be easy. But they certainly didn't want it to go like this.
Get To Know New Flyers Winger Nikita Grebenkin The Philadelphia Flyers made waves with their Deadline Day trade of sending center Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for 22-year-old Russian winger Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round pick in the in 2027 NHL Draft.
Matvei Michkov Named NHL Rookie Of The Month For February Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for the month of February. He led all rookies in goals (5) and points (10).
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