Philly Leader

John Tortorella's Philadelphia Flyers are set to face Sheldon Keefe's New Jersey Devils in a home-and-home series starting Monday evening. The game at Wells Fargo Center will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on NBCSP, with radio coverage available on 97.5 The Fanatic and online via Flyers Radio 24/7.

This encounter marks the second of three meetings in January between the two teams. In their previous matchup on January 18 in Newark, the Flyers secured a narrow 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Matvei Michkov and Bobby Brink. The season series will conclude on March 9 at Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers recently experienced a setback after a strong stretch of games, suffering consecutive road losses to the New York Rangers (6-1) and the New York Islanders (3-1). Since their last meeting with the Flyers, the Devils have achieved a record of 2-1-0, including recent victories over the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.

As both teams prepare for Monday's game, several key factors may influence the outcome:

1. **Shot suppression:** In their previous win against the Devils, the Flyers effectively blocked shots and limited New Jersey's attempts on goal. Maintaining this defensive strategy could be crucial for success in upcoming games.

2. **Offensive performance:** After an impressive offensive run between late November and mid-January, Philadelphia has struggled to score consistently in recent games. Coach Tortorella has been experimenting with line combinations to reignite offensive production.

3. **Laughton's return:** Alternate captain Scott Laughton is expected to return to the lineup after missing three games due to personal reasons. His presence could provide additional stability for the team.

4. **Goaltending dynamics:** With Jacob Markstrom sidelined due to injury, Jake Allen will likely continue as New Jersey's primary goaltender. For Philadelphia, Samuel Ersson remains an option after performing well despite recent challenges.

5. **Second-period play:** Both teams have shown contrasting performances during second periods this season, with New Jersey excelling while Philadelphia has struggled defensively.

As these two teams meet again, these elements may play significant roles in determining which side comes out victorious in this critical matchup.