2024 Preseason: Flyers vs. Devils Preview

Undefeated on home ice during the 2024-2025 NHL Preseason, the Philadelphia Flyers (3-3-0) will host the New Jersey Devils (1-5-0) at the Wells Fargo Center.

Each team will dress a lineup closely representing AHL affiliates. The Flyers are prepping their opening night lineup throughout the remaining days of training camp. Tomorrow, the Devils will begin their regular season against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia.

On Tuesday, Philadelphia fell to the Boston Bruins, 4-1. Additionally, New Jersey lost to the New York Rangers, 5-4.

Philadelphia Flyers

Two fringe forwards to crack the opening night lineup will dress for the Flyers in the last preseason matchup. Olle Lycksell and Noah Cates earn a spotlight tonight. Lycksell and Cates could be out of the opening night lineup if Jett Luchanko remains in Philadelphia. If Luchanko earns a nine-game stay in the NHL, Cates will step back into the lineup after that trial expires. Lycksell could begin with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms but would be the top forward recall from the AHL.

“With Catesy [Cates], I want him to take a chance. We need to try to unlock him a little bit in trying to create some offense, too. Sometimes when you’re as reliable as he is, it’s easy to just fall back on that; play that way and play to his strengths. We want to try to get him out of his comfort area there as far as where we know he’s so good. We need to get some offense out of him, and that’s the challenge. That’s the challenge for me and him together, to try to unlock that somehow; to get him to bring some of that offense and take a chance.” – John Tortorella; 10/2/2024

Erik Johnson will be in the lineup. The veteran defenseman paired well with Emil Andrae. He also paired with Adam Ginning. However, Andrae and Ginning yielded very different results throughout training camp and the preseason.

“The number eight spot is wide open. I thought Ginning was one that we had penciled in there. He’s had a bad camp. Andrae has quietly gone about his business and has had a good camp, so that’s why he’s practiced with us today. As I’ve told a number of those defensemen, ‘What are you waiting for?’ That spot is wide open. So, we still evaluate, and tomorrow night’s game there’s going to be a young defense.” – John Tortorella; 10/2/2024

Alexei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov represent the goaltending tandem for the Flyers. Like the second meeting between Philadelphia and the New York Islanders during the preseason, Fedotov will start. Kolosov will split the game at the midpoint with Fedotov, per assistant coach Darryl Williams, but it will be worth a watch to see how Kolosov performs in the exhibition.

When: 7pm
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Broadcast Info: 97.5 the Fanatic (radio broadcast) and NBC Sports Philadelphia (television broadcast)
Last Game (PHI): 10/1/24; 4-1, L, at Boston Bruins
Last Game (NJD): 10/1/24, 5-4, L, at New York Rangers

Projected Lineup: Philadelphia Flyers

#43 Oscar Eklind – #18 Rodrigo Ābols – #19 Garnet Hathaway

#15 Olle Lycksell – #27 Noah Cates – #90 Anthony Richard

#91 Brendan Furry – #78 Jacob Gaucher – #87 Garrett Wilson

#73 Elliot Desnoyers – #85 J-R Avon – #46 Sawyer Boulton

#41 Hunter McDonald – #59 Oliver Bonk

#36 Emil Andrae – #3 Helge Grans

#13 Adam Ginning – #77 Erik Johnson

#82 Ivan Fedotov

(#35 Alexei Kolosov)

Projected Lineup: New Jersey Devils (per Catherine Bogart)

#61 Chase Stillman – #28 Justin Dowling – #62 Kevin Labanc

#70 Max Graham – #49 Ryan Schmelzer – #48 Brian Halonen

#39 Mike Hardman – #75 Filip Engaras – #77 Cam Squires

#79 Samuel Laberge – #41 Jack Malone – #16 Nathan Légaré

#33 Jakub Zbořil – #93 Daniil Misyul

#72 Will McKinnon – #55 Mikael Diotte

#81 Jackson van de Leest – #32 Andy Welinski

#65 Isaac Poulter

(#60 Jeremy Brodeur)

The puck drops at the Wells Fargo Center at 7pm. Listen on 97.5 the Fanatic. Watch on NBC Sports Philadelphia.