Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Game 66: New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers

March 11, 2014, 10:46 AM ET [81 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

Match-up - New Jersey Devils (28-24-13) @ Philadelphia Flyers (33-24-7)
Road/Home records - 12-16-6 -------------- 18-11-1
TV - MSG Plus, CSN-Philly, RDS
Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET
Season series - Flyers lead 2-1
Last 10: Devils 5-3-2 | Flyers 7-2-1
Projected starting goalies - Martin Brodeur vs Steve Mason



Projected lines for the Flyers:

Scott Hartnell - Claude Giroux - Jakub Voracek
Vincent Lecavalier - Brayden Schenn - Wayne Simmonds
Steve Downie - Sean Couturier - Matt Read
Michael Raffl - Adam Hall - Zac Rinaldo

Kimmo Timonen - Braydon Coburn
Nicklas Grossmann - Mark Streit
Andrew MacDonald - Luke Schenn

Projected lines for the Devils:

Tuomo Ruutu - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr
Dainius Zubrus - Patrik Elias - Damien Brunner
Ryane Clowe - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder
Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier

Andy Greene - Mark Fayne
Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky
Bryce Salvador - Anton Volchenkov

Game notes:

- Martin Brodeur is set to make his fourth start since the Olympic break came to an end when the Devils take on the Flyers tonight. While Brodeur has posted a sub .880 save percentage in two of those three starts, he has found a way to win all three games and he'll get the nod tonight as a result. Pete DeBoer is trying to collect as many points as possible and regardless of who's posting better numbers, DeBoer will roll with whoever's winning. Right now that's Brodeur and he better keep it going if he wants to see a fair amount of starts down the stretch.

- The Flyers are not a great 5 vs 5 team in terms of possession and keeping the puck out of their net, but their special teams are very good and they win a lot of games as a result. The Devils have a slightly better power play and penalty kill percentage but the difference is marginal and there's no real advantage there. Whoever wins the 5 vs 5 battle will probably win this one.

- New Jersey enters tonight's contest two points back of Columbus for the final wild card spot and four points back of the Flyers for the final divisional spot. This is a huge game for them and one they need to win. If the Devils fall to the Flyers they'd be five points back of the Rangers for 3rd in the division and six points back of the Flyers with Philadelphia having a game in hand. That's tough sledding this late in the season.

- Adam Henrique has 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in six games since the NHL resumed and he has five multi-point games in that span, as well as a current six-game goal streak. He's been named a star of the week two weeks straight now and has been the best player in the Eastern Conference since the break. If Henrique can find twine again tonight he'll set a new Devils record by scoring in seven straight games.

- In an effort to scare fans half to death, DeBoer has decided to reunite Volchenkov and Salvador. The Flyers have a good amount of speed up front and will probably be able to expose that pairing with ease so hopefully DeBoer can get the matchup he wants when they're out there. Otherwise it could be a long night.

- The Flyers have beaten the Devils twice this season and both times Brayden Schenn scored the winner. He has points in four of his last five games, too, so the Devils will need to watch out for him.

- Tuomo Ruutu had a beautiful primary assist, the game winning goal, four hits and five shots last time out while playing on a line with Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr for much of the night. He looked very comfortable with those two players and seems to compliment them very nicely. Has DeBoer found a fit for him? Another good showing would likely keep him on that line for a while.


**

- Thoughts on the Ruutu trade | NHL grants Devils 30th overall pick.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email: [email protected]
Join the Discussion: » 81 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Thank you
» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job
» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts
» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted
» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership