Devils in Town for an Evening of Pucks and Possible Glove-Throwing

In their last game, the Flyers weren't at their best, but they still managed to win one of the more entertaining games of the 2008-09 season. They also snapped a two-game losing skid, which was preceded by a six-win run. However, Danny Briere was lost for at least a month; the team has learned to live without him (their record is actually better when he's not on the ice), but when Danny's been healthy, he's had a huge impact in the offensive end. Hopefully he gets back out there in time for the new year, but it's great to see that his teammates are more than capable of picking up the slack.

Tonight, the hated Devils are in town. Way back when the Phillies were about to host a World Series game in late October, the Flyers played a home-and-home with Jersey, winning both. Leading up to the game, the Flyers were lost, and the pair of Ws got them briefly back on track, and showed us what the team was capable of. You may remember the second game, during which some asshole tossed a makeshift smokebomb onto the ice during OT.

Despite losing the legendary Martin Brodeur just after those games against the Flyers, the Devils are still above .500, with very respectable defensive and goaltending showings. After losing four straight, NJ has won five of six, losing to the Pens in their last contest. Their Achilles' heel seems to be special teams, where they're currently ranked last in the division and among the worst in the NHL at both power play efficiency (possibly an effect of Brodeur's absence) and penalty killing.

Opposing Players to Watch: Since February 2002, Brodeur has been in net for every game between the Flyers and the Devils. Scott Clemmensen will likely take the honors tonight. Zach Parise leads the team with a balanced 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists). He's currently the only Devil with double-digit goals. Good things happen for Jersey when Colin White is on the ice; the rearguard is one of two Devils with a plus-10 (Parise is the other).

Comments

[MikeY]

Whoo...orange jerseys again tongiht! Are they the new home threads?

[K in South Jersey]

I'm really liking these orange jerseys...

[MikeY]

Me too...they're freakin' gorgeous.

[MikeY]

No Carle tonight...Kukks in the lineup paired with Alberts.

[MikeY]

The PK is so dominant it's ridiculous.

[zachman]

I love hearing "THE FLYERS ARE GOING ON THE PEECOO POWER PLAY"!

[Matt P]

That was a pretty weird fight, the knee injury explains a lot.

[MikeY]

Wow, two lame fights tonight...Let's go Cote.

[Matt P]

It's really just looked like both guys are waiting to counter-punch, not really that they want to fight all that much. Lots of clutching jerseys and keeping your face away...

[Mitch]

Still mad about the Devils goal. It was just careless defense on a broken play. It is like the Tampa game on Tuesday. The Devils get a goal that they don't deserve after being completely outplayed by the boys in Orange. Just unlucky!

P.S. - Those Orange threads are sexy, especially with white name plates!

[K in South Jersey]

Upshall...on the power play
2-1 Flyers

But, Gagne is hurt

[Matt P]

Jesus, Marty...

[K in South Jersey]

another damn overtime game

[MikeY]

Orange Jerseys = Overtime

[MikeY]

Thank god Sbisa seems OK though...we don't need anymore injuries to the defense.

[K in South Jersey]

this is the 10th time in 25 games that the Flyers have gone beyond regulation

4-3 in OT
0-2 in SO

[Francis]

Well at least we got a point. God, those orange sweaters arouse me. What I'd give to have this be the permanent home uni.

[Mitch]

Wow! Great job Marty. I guess because Martin Brodeur is out for 3 months you thought you could channel some of his spirit. I mean the pass was great beside that it was right to Gionta. Marty should never be allowed to try and play the puck again . . . I will be so pissed if we loose. We deserve this game.

[Hoosier Poppa]

So okay, for those of us not in town, what's wrong with Gagne? Have specifics been announced?

[MikeY]

@ Francis:

They seem to be the new home jerseys. Since debuted, they've had 3 home games, each time they've worn the orange ones.

And it's about time they went back to being orange...the team colors and orange and black, not white and black. I'd like if they did away with the white road jerseys and used the black ones on the road, but I think league rulez won;t allow it.

Oh, look...the Devils scored. Fucking Elias.

[Mitch]

Fuck you Martin Biron!

What a terrible outcome. Gagne is hurt and Marty Biron shows that he is a giant dick tickle.

Fuckin perfect . . .

[MikeY]

@ Me:

are orange and black*

@ Hoosier Poppa:

They haven't said whats' up with Gagne...JJ said Homer won't say anything until after the game.

[Mike L.]

MARTY! MARTY! MARTY! close your legs you friggin slut.

[K in South Jersey]

Pannacio on cnsphilly.com is reporting that it is not concussion related

[MikeY]

Haha...dick tickle.

[Mitch]

Fuck you Martin Biron!

What a terrible outcome. Gagne is hurt and Marty Biron shows that he is a giant dick tickle.

Fuckin perfect . . .

[Francis]

MikeY-

I think the black jerseys are played out. It's so late 90s/early 2000s. Time to follow the current (thank god) trend in sports of going back to classic uniforms (see the Phillies and those gorgeous Sunday threads with the blue hat). Orange at home, white on the road. The way God intended.

Ughh, we were a minute away from taking that thing in regulation.

[MikeY]

@ Francis:

I totally agree with you...the black jerseys were cool when they came out in 99-00 because only a few teams had them, but now everyone has them. That combined with the Flyers not having an orange jersey, I think the Flyers made the perfect decision to bring back the orange, and apparently make then the new home shirts.

Yeah, I also love the Phillies alternate day uniforms...very clean looking, a nice alternate to the white with red pinstipes...and the blue hats, just like the white nameplates, make the look complete.

Yeah, Biron needs to keep an eye on the clock and know that was gonna be icing and leavethe puck alone...if Marty doesn't touch the puck, Coby get the icing ang they ride out the last 90 seconds and get the W...I put this one on Marty.