New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers Picks and Predictions January 29th 2025

Slumping Devils Seek Redemption Against Surging Flyers

The New Jersey Devils are facing a critical moment in their season. Once sitting atop the Metropolitan Division, they now find themselves dangerously close to slipping into wild-card territory. With key injuries and inconsistent performances, the Devils will look to bounce back when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night in Newark, N.J.

Key Injuries Hamper Devils’ Momentum

Captain Nico Hischier’s Status Uncertain

Leading scorer and team captain Nico Hischier (24 goals) remains day-to-day after taking a cross-check from Montreal’s Nick Suzuki in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime victory. He was sidelined for Monday’s 4-2 loss to the Flyers, and his availability for the rematch is unknown.

Goaltender Woes: Markstrom’s Absence Hurts New Jersey

Starting goalie Jacob Markstrom is out with a sprained MCL, suffered during last Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Boston. His absence has left the Devils vulnerable in net, making defensive stability a major concern heading into their third game without him.

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New Jersey’s Struggles: A Team in Free Fall

The Devils are 4-7-3 in their last 14 games, a stark contrast to their early-season dominance. Once holding a three-point lead in the division, they have now fallen to third place and could soon face a double-digit deficit behind the first-place Washington Capitals, who hold two games in hand.

New Jersey’s offensive inconsistency has been a major issue. They scored nine goals in back-to-back wins against the Bruins and Canadiens but were shut down Monday by the Flyers. The Devils fell behind 3-0 before Dougie Hamilton and Timo Meier responded, but their power play struggled (0-for-3), marking the ninth time since Dec. 27 that they have been held to two or fewer goals.

Jesper Bratt Calls for More Urgency

Devils forward Jesper Bratt did not hold back after the loss:

“We knew what kind of game this would be. It’s a hard-fought game for space out there. We wanted to be too cute with the puck and didn’t create momentum. We spent too much time in our own zone.”

If New Jersey hopes to turn things around, they will need to adjust their mentality and execution against a Flyers team that has already beaten them twice this season.

Philadelphia Flyers: Finding Their Groove

Recent Hot Streak Revitalizes Flyers

The Flyers are 6-2-1 in their last nine games, a sharp turnaround after a four-game losing streak in early January. Monday’s victory over New Jersey was their third time scoring four or more goals in the past five games.

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Key Contributions: Brink, Farabee, and Hathaway Deliver

Philadelphia’s Bobby Brink opened the scoring on the power play, and Joel Farabee extended the lead just 28 seconds later. Garnet Hathaway made it 3-0 early in the second period, setting the tone for a strong performance.

Scott Laughton, who had missed three games due to a family emergency, returned and played a crucial role, assisting on Farabee’s goal and adding one of his own.

“It’s never easy playing the same team twice in a week,” Farabee said. “They’re a little banged up, and their goalie is out. We knew we had to take advantage.”

Goaltender Samuel Ersson’s Strong Run

Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson has been rock-solid between the pipes. He made 31 saves against New Jersey, improving to 8-2-0 in his last 10 games with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. Despite allowing five goals in a recent loss to the Rangers, Ersson’s steady play has helped keep the Flyers in the playoff hunt.

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Flyers’ Captain Sean Couturier Remains Questionable

Philadelphia played Monday’s game without captain Sean Couturier, who was sidelined due to an illness. He has missed three games this season, and his status for Wednesday remains uncertain.

What to Expect in the Rematch

With the Flyers riding momentum and the Devils searching for answers, Wednesday’s game will be a crucial test for New Jersey. Key factors to watch include:
✅ Hischier’s Availability: If the Devils’ captain plays, they have a better chance at stabilizing their offense.
✅ Goaltending Battle: Can the Devils withstand the Flyers’ attack without Markstrom?
✅ Special Teams Performance: Philadelphia capitalized on the power play last game, while New Jersey went 0-for-3. A stronger special teams effort could be the difference.
✅ Physicality & Mental Toughness: The Devils admitted to playing too passively. Can they respond with a grittier effort?

Final Thoughts

The Flyers are in a strong position to continue their success against New Jersey, while the Devils desperately need a win to avoid further slipping in the standings. If Hischier returns and New Jersey plays with more urgency, they could turn things around. However, if the Flyers execute their aggressive game plan again, they could secure their third straight win over the Devils.

Would you bet on a Devils rebound or another Flyers victory? Let’s hear your predictions!