Flyers’ Keys to Success in Stadium Series Game vs Devils (+)

As new captain Sean Couturier put it, this Stadium Series game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils has “a little more at stake.”

The Flyers and Devils are each 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, and the Devils, who are seven points behind the Flyers for second in the Metropolitan Division with two games in hand, are probably going to be the more desperate team. New Jersey recently changed their defensive coverage in direct correlation to that.

The Devils have started to drop their centers very low defensively, while also having two strong-side forwards defending in their hybrid coverage. This is why players like Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar have made the full-time switch to center, at the expenses of Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer.

Simply put, it’s going to be a unique challenge for the Flyers, who were also just picked apart by the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ star players. It’s been a bit of a recurring theme for Philadelphia, and New Jersey also looks to be approaching full health for what seems to be the first time this season, bar Dougie Hamilton.

To achieve victory on the big stage, the Flyers will have to play a disciplined game and a game that plays to their strengths. That includes rush offense and rush defense.

Is it that simple, though? Let’s discuss.