Philadelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils Predictions and Preview

The New Jersey Devils are barely hanging in the third spot of the Metropolitan Division standings, as they lead the New York Islanders by just a point. They can create some more breathing room later tonight if they could take care of the stumbling Philadelphia Flyers, who are chasing at least a wild card ticket in the Eastern Conference.

Read on for a breakdown of this matchup. You can also check out our preview of the Kings vs. Caps.

NHL News and Predictions

Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Preview

Where: Prudential Center, Newark

When: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 7:00 PM ET

Line: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils – view all NHL lines

TV Broadcast: CSN (Local: PHI)/ MSG+ (Local: NJ)

Betting on the Philadelphia Flyers (24-21-10)

It was a case of another game, another putrid showing on offense for the Flyers, who lost to the Rangers 3-1 on Sunday. The Flyers, who are averaging 2.4 goals per game, have lost five of their last six outings, scoring just 10 goals in their losses. While they had a rare offensive outburst in a 5-1 win over Buffalo last Thursday, that’s unlikely to happen later tonight, as they’re up against New Jersey’s top rated defense.

But if the Flyers need some inspiration, they can look back to their 4-3 overtime win over New Jersey on December 4. In that game, the Flyers managed to go 2-for-3 on the power play. Philadelphia’s special teams appear to play better when up against the Devils, as the Flyers are 3-for-9 on the man advantage in three meetings with New Jersey thus far this season.

Steve Mason figures to be in between the pipes again for the Flyers following a letdown performance against the Rangers in which he allowed all three NY goals on 30 shots faced. He was sensational in the win over the Sabres, though, turning away 41 of 42 shots.

Rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, meanwhile, has extended his amazing point streak to 12 games after recording an assist in the Rangers game.

The over is 6-3-1 in Philadelphia’s last 10 road games.

Betting on the New Jersey Devils (29-21-7)

Like Philadelphia, the Devils are having big troubles finding the back of the net. In fact, they’re the last in the NHL in scoring goals with only 2.2 per game.

Their inability to put up many goals on a nightly basis, however, didn’t seem to be much of a problem for the Devils of late, as they’re currently on a three-game win streak.

Leaning heavily on their defense, the Devils were able to outscore their last three opponents, 5-2. They even blanked the Los Angeles Kings on Valentine’s Day, 1-0, with backup goalie Keith Kinkaid turning away all of the Kings’ 28 shots on goal.

On the season, New Jersey is first overall in defense with just a 2.18 goals against average.

Kinkaid, however, is slated to be back to the bench with Cory Schneider making his return after a couple days of rest. Schneider, who keeps a 25-16-6 record and is second in the league with a 1.98 GAA and third with .931 SV%, allowed just one goal on 32 shots faced in a 2-1 overtime win over the Flyers on February 13.

Still, the Devils can’t just leave Schneider doing all the work. Kyle Palmieri and Adam Henrique are expected to anchor New Jersey’s offense that ranks sixth in the league in power play percentage (21.3). The Devils are 5-for-11 on the power play this season against Philly.

Palmieri leads the team with 20 goals this season, including two so far versus the Flyers. Henrique, meanwhile, is second on the team with 19 goals.

As poor as the Devils’ attack has been this season, there’s always hope for any type of offense against the Flyers, as Philadelphia’s porous blue line has allowed the second most shots in the league with opponents taking 32.2 per game.