Match Overview

The New Jersey Devils never fail to prove me wrong. At the onset of the season, I was optimistic. I knew the Devils would be a losing team, but I thought that the days of the wheels falling off were over, Jersey would never fall off the wagon. However, their 14-27-6 record and nine-game losing streak would beg to differ. Yes, you read that right, after their loss to Pittsburgh, New Jersey has now lost nine in a row. The only thing separating them from the Sabres is a point and an optimistic future, something I’m anxious to see.

An all around better effort and game, but #NJDevils once again on the wrong side of the score.

Devils drop this one 4-2 to Penguins.

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) April 24, 2021

The Philadelphia Flyers are in a slightly better situation but are still on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. A promising season has been dashed by mediocrity and surprisingly horrendous goaltending by Carter Hart. Their struggles are unexpected considering the prowess they showed in the 2019-20 season.

Any matchup is a tough one for the Devils nowadays, and this one is no different. The Devils are 14-27-6, hanging on to sixth place in the East Division. The Flyers own a 21-19-7 record, just ahead of the Devils in sixth place.

Line Ups

Devils’ Lines

Forwards

Johnsson-Hughes-Sharangovich

Zacha-Hischier-Bratt

Wood-McLeod-Bastian

Studenic-Boqvist-Merkley

Defence

Murray-Severson

Butcher-Carrick

White-Tennyson

Goalies

Wedgewood

Blackwood

Flyers’ Lines

Forwards

Giroux-Couturier-Voracek

Farabee-Hayes-Allison

Van Riemsdyk-Laughton-Konecny

Lindblom-Cates-Kubel

Defence

Provorov-Braun

Sanheim-Hagg

Gostibehere-Myers

Goalies

Elliot

Lyon

Who/What to Watch

Yegor Sharangovich

The young Belarusian has been on a hot streak as of late, scoring two goals and notching four assists in his last five outings. He’s had his ups and downs, but he’s been decent with 23 points in 45 games. He hasn’t exactly been amazing on the analytic front: he has a 52.57 Corsi-for % (CF%) but only a 48.77 expected goals-for (xGF%). Nevertheless, he’s been on a tear, look for him to get on the scoresheet today.

Can New Jersey Stay Ahead of Buffalo?

You know things haven’t been pretty if we have to ask this question. It’s sad, but the Devils are just one point ahead of the worst team in the league. Based on early-season predictions, it would be utterly embarrassing to finish below the Sabres. Hell, the Devils are even worse than the Ducks! Despite my frustration, I have to note that no one expected the Devils to be good this season, no one expected playoffs.

My Prediction

The Devils lose, end of story.

Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG+ at 6:00 pm.