Flyers Lose Preseason Opener to Devils

When hockey historians chronicle the Philadelphia Flyers’ Great Rebuild, Monday night’s preseason opener probably won’t be included.

Good thing, right?

The Philadelphia Flyers lost at New Jersey, 6-0, in a game that saw center Sean Couturier return after nearly two years away from the sport. Couturier reported that he felt fine physically after the game.

“It felt all right,” Couturier said. “I thought I was physical at times. Felt good. I got to build on that. I have to execute a little better. Feeling good in my legs. I just have to make some plays.”

Couturier, in his first game since Dec. 18, 2021, won 10-of-18 faceoffs (55.6 percent) and ranked second among Flyers’ forwards in ice-time (18:05).

Cam Atkinson, who like Couturier missed all of last season, was scheduled to play but was held out due to soreness. Atkinson missed last season because of a neck injury. Couturier has had two back surgeries since he last played in December 2021.

The Devils scored four goals in the game’s first 5 minutes, 55 seconds against Flyers goalie Cal Petersen.

Flyers goalie Felix Sandstrom played the third period and allowed one goal. Fourteen of the Flyers’ 20 players were Philadelphia draft choices, including Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey from the 2023 draft.

Defenseman Cam York led the Flyers with 22:17 of ice-time. He had three blocked shots.

The Flyers are off Tuesday and return to preseason play Wednesday at the New York Islanders for the second of six preseason games.

Here was the Flyers’ lineup for last night’s game:

Forwards

Farabee – Couturier – Brink
Lycksell – Frost – Foerster
Brown – Barkey – Allison
Furry – Desnoyers – Tuomaala

Defensemen

York – Walker
Seeler – Bonk
Andrae – Grans

Goaltenders

Petersen
Sandstrom