Devils vs. Flyers Preview: Turnpike Tilt Pt. 1

The New Jersey Devils will have a tougher than anticipated matchup in their first tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers this season.

The New Jersey Devils are coming off a thrilling comeback win against the New York Islanders. Tonight, they'll look to build on it against another division rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, in Philadelphia. Here's what to watch as the Devils look to extend their winning streak to three games. 

Devils Unlikely to Have an Easy 5-on-5 Matchup

The Flyers have gotten off to a better-than-expected start this season, with an 11-10-1 record, putting them in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 23 points. Their five-on-five numbers have been solid, suggesting their start isn't a mirage. 

The Flyers rank seventh in the NHL in five-on-five expected goals share (xG%) at 53.3 percent. Their five-on-five defense has improved quite a bit from a season ago, as they're only giving up an average of 2.34 expected goals per 60 minutes.

 Even when you look at the Flyers' last ten games, their five-on-five numbers still hold up well. They have a 52.55 xG% and have defended well at that game state. They've also been a middle-of-the-pack offensive team, ranking 15th in xG per 60 minutes. 

Most of us, including myself, would not have predicted the Flyers would be one of the better five-on-five teams in the league through the quarter mark of the 2023-24 season. But that's where things stand heading into the Devils' first matchup against their Turnpike Rivals. 

The good news is that the Devils are playing quite well themselves at five-on-five, totaling a 55.08 xG% across their last ten games, the fifth-best mark in the NHL over that stretch. They have more offensive firepower than the Flyers and have been generating more quality chances.

That's where the Devils have an advantage, and with their team speed, they should be able to create enough grade-A opportunities to test the Flyers' goaltenders. 

Containing the Couturier Line