NHL play-off preview – New Jersey Devils v Philadelphia Flyers
Going into the play-off season, series between two clubs normally mean little, purely because a lot of the games are played early on in the season but on some occasions a season series can provide some help into predicting a play-off series.
The season series between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers finished 5-1 to the Flyers. Guess who the No.2 seed in the east is? Yup, the Devils.
The last time the Devils managed to beat the Flyers was way back on December 12th and since then they have gone on to lose the next three games, the latest defeat coming on March 28th in Philly.
That last defeat came by a score of 5-1 so the Devils are more than aware of the threat the Flyers’ offensive line will pose.
Devils Captain Jamie Langenbrunner is all too aware of the challenge facing his team. "They controlled us pretty well, they stomped us the first game [5-2 on opening night] and we didn't play well in their building too many times. We've got to understand what they do and be ready for that. I don't think we did that during the regular season,” he said.
Though they may have been “controlled” by the Flyers the Devils do match-up well in key areas against Philadelphia. First, they have a huge advantage in the goalie department with Martin Brodeur – the all time leader in career shutouts. Secondly, they have Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise, two of the best wingers in the NHL.
Brodeur conceded only seven goals in his last seven regular-season games and if the Devils ever needed their keeper to be on top form it is now, especially considering Langenbrunner has only scored one point in his last seven games of the regular season.
Consider also the fact that Kovalchuck is a free agent in the off-season and it seems inevitable that he will give everything in the play-offs to increase his stock and get that lucrative contract. He also needs to show he can perform when it really matters.
The Flyers will look to forward Daniel Briere who had six points in his last six games and centre Mike Richards who has 16 points in his last 21 games, whilst Chris Pronger will marshal the blue line and be a threat on the power play with five goals and 21 assists on the power play this season.
This could be the match-up where we get the first shock of the round. It’s going to be a closely fought series but with the talent New Jersey possess they should have just about enough to sneak through in seven, but don’t be surprised if the Flyers take this in seven either.
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