Flyers at Devils
The New Jersey Devils aim to end their downward spiral when they host one of the NHL's hottest teams in the Metropolitan Divison-rival Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. New Jersey is looking to snap a winless streak that reached seven games (0-6-1) with Tuesday's 5-1 home setback against Nashville.
Sergey Kalinin scored his first goal of the season with 5:49 remaining in the third period to avoid a shutout loss for the Devils, who have been outscored 29-9 during their slide. Philadelphia got back in the win column Wednesday, outlasting Washington at home in a shootout to halt a two-game winless stretch that followed a 10-game winning streak. Michael Raffl and captain Claude Giroux scored in regulation to end five-game droughts while Wayne Simmonds netted the decisive tally in the bonus format. Jakub Voracek has gone five contests without a goal but has collected 18 of his team-leading 35 points over his last 13 games.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TCN (Philadelphia), MSG Plus (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE FLYERS (20-11-4): Philadelphia failed to convert either of its two power-play opportunities against the Capitals, dropping it to 0-for-13 over its last five contests. The club continued its recent perfection on the penalty kill, however, thwarting Washington's lone chance to improve to 16-for-16 in its last six matches. Steve Mason, who made 36 saves on Wednesday, has won nine of his last 11 decisions and allowed fewer than three goals nine times in that span.
ABOUT THE DEVILS (12-13-7): New Jersey hasn't been much better than the Flyers of late on the power play, going 1-for-14 over its last five games while allowing a pair of short-handed goals. The Devils also have struggled on the penalty kill, surrendering five tallies in 17 short-handed situations over their last six contests. Vernon Fiddler could miss the game against Philadelphia as he exited the loss to Nashville in the third period after blocking a shot and did not participate in practice Wednesday.
OVERTIME
1. The Devils have lost two in a row at home after beginning the season 8-0-2 at Prudential Center.
2. Thursday's game will be the Flyers' second straight against a division rival but only their seventh in 36 contests this season.
3. New Jersey LW Taylor Hall has gone five games without a point after recording eight in his first five contests following knee surgery.