Philadelphia Flyers: Series preview with the New Jersey Devils

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Flyers
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

For the New Jersey Devils, all eyes should be on the number one overall pick from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Jack Hughes. At 19-years-old, the sky is the limit for this young player. If his start to the 2021 season is any indicator, he seems to be on the fast track to stardom in the National Hockey League.

Through the first five games of the season, Hughes has scored three goals and has added four assists (seven points), and has been a dynamic offensive force for the Devils. His first season in 2019-2020 was a bit underwhelming, as the young player only produced seven goals and 14 assists in 61 games, a far cry from what you would expect from the top pick in the draft. However, you have to keep in mind he was an 18-year-old kid playing with grown men at the peak of professional hockey, so it is hard to fault him for taking time to adjust to the NHL-level. Keep a close eye on number 86, as he seems poised to give the Orange and Black fits for many years to come.

These aren’t the New Jersey Devils many Philadelphia Flyers fans expected.

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The player to watch for the Flyers is none other than the captain, Claude Giroux. It appeared Giroux notched his first goal of the season in Boston the other night. However, this goal was later changed to Travis Konecny, which leaves the captain still searching for his first goal of the season. Even without finding the back of the net to this point, Giroux has been one of the best players on the ice for the Flyers so far this season.

He has four assists through his first six games and has been the best play driving forward on the roster, as he is the only active forward with a Corsi % above 50. Do not be surprised if Giroux finds the back of the net in this two-game series, as it is crucial for the Flyers to get back on track this week after an ugly stretch of hockey.