Flyers End Preseason, But Still Work to be Done

NEWARK Unlike the NFL, hockey players actually kind of, sort of like the preseason.

Game speeds and intensities can’t be replicated in a hockey practice like they can in football.

“For me it’s better to play as many games as possible,” Flyers right wing Jake Voracek said.

It took him five games to score his first goal, which he did on the power play Friday night in a 3-2 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils in the Flyers’ preseason finale.

The work isn’t done, either. There’s a lot to hone in on before the games start counting next Thursday in Tampa.

“Just the system,” said Voracek, who also had four assists in his five exhibition games. “You always can get better system-wise. It’s always tough games against the Devils, but since the second period, I think we skated a little better and we didn’t play a bad hockey game. I thought we played pretty good. It’s always tough against them. Just gotta make sure we dig in system-wise.”

Even as the Flyers tried to master rookie coach Dave Hakstol’s new system, their rivalry with the Devils appeared in midseason form early with little action at either side for most of the first two periods.