Flyers vs. Devils: How to Watch, Lineups, Keys to the Game

The Philadelphia Flyers (39-26-12) are now in the driver's seat to the playoffs. With five games remaining, they hold the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. But after spending months chasing down the spot, they now find themselves in a new position, being chased. It makes the final five games that much more important to bring this journey to an exciting conclusion with playoff hockey for the Flyers for the first time since 2020.

Their opponent on Tuesday is the New Jersey Devils (40-34-3), who have been much improved over the last few weeks, even if that was too late to save their playoff hopes. Game time is at 7 PM.

How to Watch

Time: 7 PM
Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia/ESPN
Radio: 97.3 ESPN and the 97.3 ESPN Free Mobile App
Streaming: ESPN+

Projected Flyers Lines vs. Devils

Injury & Roster Updates

Lineup Updates: The Flyers did not hold a morning skate. Any changes to the Flyers' lineup will be announced closer to game time.
Starting Goalie: Dan Vladar gets the start for the Flyers. Vladar is 26-13-7 on the season with a 2.43 GAA and .906 save percentage. He made 18 saves on 19 shots in a win over the Bruins on Sunday. Vladar has two wins against the Devils this season, stopping 61 of 67 shots.
Injuries
- Nikita Grebenkin: upper-body injury, out 7-to-10 days
- Rodrigo Abols: fractured ankle, out at least two months from Jan. 21

Opponent Snapshot: New Jersey Devils

Opponent record: 40-34-3
Special Teams Ranking
- Power Play: 22.4% (12th)
- Penalty Kill: 79.5% (15th)
Who’s hot?: Jack Hughes has eight goals and 24 points in the last 11 games. Nico Hischier had 10 points over a seven-games points streak snapped in New Jersey's last game. Timo Meier has five goals and eight points in his last eight games. Jesper Bratt has seven goals and 27 points since the Olympic break. Connor Brown has six goals in his last 11 games.
Who’s in net?: Jacob Markstrom gets the start for the Devils. Markstrom is 23-18-1 this season with a 3.01 GAA and .885 save percentage. He made 18 saves in a shutout win over Montreal in his last start on Sunday. He allowed four goals on 31 shots in a loss to the Flyers on Nov. 29.
Injuries: Arseny Gritsyuk, Zack MacEwen, Stefan Noesen, and Brett Pesce are all out for the remainder of the regular season.

Keys to the Game

Now in Control: The Flyers now find themselves in the driver's seat with their playoff hopes. That shouldn't change the approach, as they still need wins and points to officially reach the playoffs.
Stick to Details: The Flyers got back to basics and their solid defensive structure over the weekend, and a lot of that has to do with attention to detail. That needs to be maintained on Tuesday.
One Week: Five games remain over the next eight days. By this time next week, the Flyers will either know their fate or have one more game to change things.

By the Numbers

Both teams enter on hot streaks. The Flyers are 12-5-1 in 18 games since February 1. The Devils are 11-5-1 in 17 games played in that time.
The Devils have a 7-15-2 record against divisional opponents this season. The Flyers are 10-9-5 against the Metro this season.
Travis Konecny has 14 goals and 30 points in 40 career games against the Devils. Nico Hischier has 10 goals and 25 points in 27 career games against the Flyers.

Quotable

"That's a learning lesson. When you're chasing somebody, it's still hard, but when you're getting hunted, it's harder. We're going to have to learn that. We can only worry about tomorrow's practice, and then we worry about the Devils." - Rick Tocchet following Sunday's win over the Bruins

X-Factors

Christian Dvorak: Dvorak has quietly been one of the Flyers more consistent players of late. He has four goals and 10 points over the last nine games.
Jack Hughes: This is the Flyers' first meeting against the Devils since Jack Hughes became an American hero with the golden goal at the Olympics. His recent hot streak also makes him one to watch every time he's on the ice.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.

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