Hey hockey fans! Did you catch the Devils versus Flyers game ? It was a Sunday afternoon showdown and let me tell you it had some spice. The New Jersey Devils just snagged a win against the Philadelphia Flyers and it wasn't just any win it was a "welcome to the team" party for newcomer Cody Glass !
Glass Act! New Devil Cody Glass Scores in First Game Against Flyers
Cody Glass wasted absolutely no time making his mark. Traded to the Devils just before the deadline Glass jumped right into the lineup and bam goal in his very first game! Just over 11 minutes into the first period Glass fired off a wrist shot that zoomed past Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov. Talk about a way to introduce yourself to a new fanbase!
This goal was exactly what the Devils needed. They were looking for an offensive boost especially from their bottom lines and Glass delivered immediately. It was a sweet moment for him and it really set the tone for the Devils in this game.
Goalies Go Head-to-Head: Allen Stands Tall for Devils Fedotov Solid for Flyers
While Glass got the scoring started this game was definitely a goalie battle too. Jake Allen was in net for the Devils and he was on point. He racked up 23 saves throughout the game and honestly some of them were unreal. Late in the third period during a Flyers power play Bobby Brink was right in front of the net but Allen shut him down cold. That save pretty much sealed the deal for the Devils.
On the Flyers side Ivan Fedotov also played a strong game. He stopped 20 shots and while he let in three goals (one was an empty-netter at the end) he was tested quite a bit by the Devils offense. Both goalies were key to keeping this game tight and exciting.
Devils Overcome Losing Streak Flyers Offense Struggles Continue
Beyond Glass's debut and the goalie duel there were other important storylines in this game. The Devils were coming into this game on a three-game losing streak. This win was huge for them to get back on track and build some positive momentum. Erik Haula scored in the second period and Dawson Mercer added that empty-netter to secure the 3-1 victory.
For the Flyers their offensive struggles are becoming a real problem. They have now lost four games in a row all at home. And it is not just losing it is the lack of scoring. They have scored two or fewer goals in a whopping 8 of their last 14 games. That's just not going to cut it in the NHL .
Jamie Drysdale did manage to get one goal for the Flyers preventing a shutout but overall their offense needs to find a way to generate more opportunities and put the puck in the net.
Physical Game and Face-Off Dominance: Devils Game Plan Pays Off
The Devils came into this game knowing they were missing some key players due to injuries. To compensate they decided to amp up the physicality. They outhit the Flyers 18-12 showing they were trying to control the game's tempo and wear down the Flyers. Nathan Bastin led the charge with four hits.
Another key to the Devils victory was their dominance in the face-off circle. Their four centers won 63% of the face-offs. Winning face-offs is crucial because it gives your team possession of the puck and control of the play right from the start of each face-off. The Devils face-off win percentage helped them dictate the flow of the game and limit the Flyers offensive zone time.
Rookie Mistake: Michkov Benched After Costly Turnover
One notable moment for the Flyers involved rookie Matvei Michkov. On Glass's goal it seems Michkov didn't quite get back on defense quick enough. Coach John Tortorella known for his no-nonsense approach did not let that slide. He benched Michkov for the remainder of the first period as a consequence. It's a tough lesson for a young player but Tortorella is clearly sending a message about accountability and playing a complete game.
Expert Predictions: Flyers Favored by Some But Devils Snatch the Win
Interestingly some predictions actually favored the Flyers going into this game. One model even gave the Devils only a 56% chance of winning. BetMGM Sportsbook had the Devils as slight favorites but some were leaning towards a Flyers upset at home. Looks like the Devils defied those odds and proved the predictions wrong on this particular Sunday.
Experts noted that the Flyers have been solid at home and Fedotov was expected to perform well. However the Devils new additions and strong team effort proved to be the difference maker.
Game Highlights at a Glance:
- Cody Glass (Devils): Goal in his Devils debut
- Jake Allen (Devils): 23 Saves key stops in the third period
- Erik Haula (Devils): Second period goal
- Dawson Mercer (Devils): Empty-net goal to seal the win
- Jamie Drysdale (Flyers): Lone goal for Philadelphia
- Ivan Fedotov (Flyers): 20 Saves strong performance in net
- Matvei Michkov (Flyers): Benched in first period
- Devils: Snapped a three-game losing streak
- Flyers: Lost fourth straight home game
Devils Take Round 4 But Rivalry Continues
This game was the fourth matchup of the season between the Devils and Flyers. The Flyers still lead the season series 2-2. These two teams are division rivals so every game between them always has a little extra intensity. The Devils win here evens things up a bit and makes the rivalry even more interesting moving forward. Hockey fans in New Jersey and Philly always circle these games on the calendar!