Introductions
I look forward to the pregame press meal for various reasons. The ability to conveniently eat before working in a carpeted buffet area is pleasant and includes people from across the hockey world.
I shared today's meal with Bill Meltzer, who I've gotten to know since first gaining a media credential in 2010. Consistent professionalism and good nature are just two reasons why he's achieved lasting success as a journalist. Bill's work ethic and prolific memory are top shelf. His humility, in particular, allows him to stand with this era's great journalists and be a mentor to many.
This is the fifteenth season I've had the privilege of covering Philadelphia Flyers games at the Wells Fargo Center. My thanks to the organization, which has always been first-class
The Flyers are 27-29-8 (62 points) and have a -32 goal differential. They've given up 32 more goals than they've scored, which ranks twenty-eighth in the National Hockey League. The New Jersey Devils are 33-25-6 (72 points) and have a +26 goal differential, which is tied with the Colorado Avalanche for eighth in the League. The Devils are in third place, and the Flyers are in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Flyers have won two of the three games played against New Jersey this season, with this being the final contest. Like Philadelphia, the Devils start play on a three-game losing streak.
Philadelphia is playing in the fourth game of a seven-game homestand. The team will likely match its franchise record and miss the playoffs for a fifth straight season. However, President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones and General Manager Danny Briere have stockpiled multiple high-round draft picks, are seeing the potential of the highly-skilled Matvei Michkov, and have some good young players on the roster and in the organization. Multiple playoff runs are plausible shortly, starting as soon as next spring.
First period
Energy persists inside the arena as the Flyers' culture is steadily rebuilding, with echoes of the 1970's resonating within the minds of those old enough to dream of a hoped-for revival. Lauren Hart's rendition of the National Anthem served as a link and a reminder of her famous father, Gene Hart, who taught the game to scores of fans across this region during the start of franchise founder Ed Snider's reign.
*Today's game story will center more on observations and speculation than the game particulars because any points earned probably aren't leading to a Flyers postseason appearance.
Ivan Fedotov was tapped as the starter in goal after Sam Ersson played in yesterday's home loss to the Seattle Kraken. Jake Allen started in goal for the Devils.
Head coach John Tortorella is visible throughout the game when one peers down from press level across the ice at the Flyers' bench. Is he pacing it during the final season of his career despite one year remaining on his contract?
This is one of the decisions he and the organization are making as the next phase of the team's future is planned. An intended transition to an advisory capacity is realistic if Jones and Briere believe the right head coach is or will come available this off-season.
The Devils scored at 11:10 on a close-range screened wrist shot off a rebound. Cody Class got the goal (fifth), with assists to Stefan Noesen and Luke Hughes.
Shots: New Jersey – 5 Philadelphia – 8
Score: New Jersey – 1 Philadelphia - 0
Intermission: Mites On Ice, a 1970's-era idea, was on display. Instilling a love for the game at those early ages remains smart marketing and pure fun for those on the ice and in the audience.
Second period
The Devils increased their lead with another close-range wrist shot. Erik Haula scored (sixth) at 5:39 into the frame. Jonathan Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon had the assists.
The League-wide strategy shift to calculated shots continues to decrease the overall number of pucks a goaltender sees. Passing and zoneish maneuvers are now part of the game, and their effect needs to be digested by fans who aren't used to this style of play. Past the period's midway point, the Devils were outshooting the Flyers 15-12.
There were eight non-players with Tortorella on the bench during the game. His assistant coaches and trainers make quite the contingent. Seven non-players, including head coach Sheldon Keefe, were on the Devils' bench.
It was also interesting to see that Keefe and his assistants wore traditional suits and ties, while Tortorella and his assistants were wearing black warmup outfits, which he switched to in recent seasons. Casual Friday versus business meeting attire is an ideological choice.
No penalties have been issued through these first two periods. A scrum for the puck behind the Devils' net during the last ten seconds of the period served as this period's arguable Flyers' highlight.
Shots: New Jersey – 11 (16) Philadelphia – 5 (13)
Score: New Jersey – 2 Philadelphia – 0
Third period
As
action through the first half of this period demonstrated, the Flyers
don't have enough talent to create consistent offensive pressure.
Without that, mistakes or good fortune can lead to goal-scoring
chances and this squad couldn't capitalize.
In recent weeks, trading three forwards, one line full of players, is having an impact. The remaining players will see increased opportunities based on merit, and some Phantoms are getting opportunities. However, goal scoring, an area of need, is now spotlighted more.
Some “Let's Go Flyers!” chants were heard with about ten minutes remaining on the clock. Shortly thereafter, the game's first penalty was called. Michkov was tripped by Noesen at 10:32.
Jaime Drysdale (fourth) got the Flyers on the board after Travis Konecny fed him a nice pass from center ice into the offensive zone. Tyson Foerster also got an assist. Drysdale beat Allen on his right blocker side with an ice-level shot.
Travis Sandheim took a crosschecking penalty at 18:30. With Tortorella needing to pull Fedotov from the crease, Dawson Mercer (fifteenth) put the puck into an empty net at 19:42 to end the scoring and seal the Devils' victory.
Briere sold off with purpose. Multiple returning players will need to develop, and at least one complete line of new players will need to pump up this offense. Better overall defense is required, and two consistent goaltenders must share the net. Also, any head or assistant coaching changes will be significant factors in the success of the 2025-26 team.
Shots: New Jersey – 7 (23 total) Philadelphia - 11 (24 total)
Final Score: New Jersey – 3 Philadelphia – 1
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