Devils Face Flyers in Crucial Divisional Matchup

NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils are set to host the Philadelphia Flyers in a pivotal Metropolitan Division clash on Saturday afternoon at Prudential Center. The game marks the first of three meetings between the teams over the next two weeks and is part of the Devils’ Next Generation Weekend presented by RWJBarnabas Health.

Devils captain Nico Hischier will play his 500th NHL game, a milestone for the 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick. “He’s a quiet leader. Leads by example,” said head coach Sheldon Keefe. “He has a tremendous amount of respect from his teammates, earned by the work he does on the ice.” Hischier leads the Devils with 22 goals and 39 points this season.

Forward Brian Halonen will make his season debut for New Jersey. “He shoots the puck hard. He can score goals. Strong, heavy on the puck,” Keefe said of Halonen. “We’ll give him an opportunity today and see what he can bring to our group.”

The Devils enter the game with points in their last five contests (2-0-3), though they have struggled to close out games, with their last four going to overtime or beyond. “We’ve found ways to get points of late,” Keefe noted. “We haven’t scored enough, which is ultimately why we haven’t been able to pull away in games.”

Philadelphia, meanwhile, has points in four straight games (3-1-1) and is coming off a 5-3 win over the New York Islanders. Travis Konecny leads the Flyers with 20 goals and 53 points, while rookie Matvei Michkov has impressed with 13 goals and 19 assists.

Goaltending will be a key factor, with Jacob Markstrom expected to start for New Jersey. Markstrom boasts a 21-8-5 record with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. For Philadelphia, Samuel Ersson has a 12-7-2 record with a 2.87 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage.

The Devils’ power play ranks third in the NHL at 28.8%, while their penalty kill is 10th at 82.2%. Philadelphia’s power play struggles at 16%, ranking 28th, and their penalty kill is 22nd at 77.5%.

Injuries could play a role, with the Devils missing Stefan Noesen (illness), Erik Haula (ankle), and Santeri Hatakka (shoulder). The Flyers are without Ryan Poehling (upper-body), Nicolas Deslauriers (upper-body), and Eetu Makiniemi (abdomen).

The game will be broadcast on MSGSN, with radio coverage on the Devils Hockey Network. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:37 PM ET.