G24 New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers: Bad vs worse

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Five things to watch when the New Jersey Devils play host to the Philadelphia Flyers:

1. High octane hockey

The first meeting between these two teams featured nearly 6.5 expected goals and seven actual goals. It was a high-event game with plenty of chances and action throughout. I would expect more of the same tonight given the team’s current trajectories.

New Jersey has two wins over their last 10. Philadelphia has one. The biggest reason for their struggles, of course, is team defense.

At 5v5, the Flyers have conceded more than 64 attempts/60 over the last 10 games. That ranks them 31st. They don’t look much better in terms of preventing expected goals, slotting 28th.

While the Devils have fared a little better, they’re going through the same struggles. The Devils sit 25th in both attempts against and expected goals against per 60. Not good!

Neither team can defend a lick right now and there’s plenty of high-end talent on both sides. This is a good environment for it to shine through.

2. Target Ivan Provorov

Provorov has continued to serve as the team’s No. 1 defenseman with Ryan Ellis out of the picture and, well, things haven’t gone well; especially of late.

Provorov owns a sub 40 xGF% over the last 10 games. The Flyers are getting caved to a borderline shocking extent with him on the ice. Now, he’s always been a ‘perceived value outweighs actual value’ kind of guy but this…this is a new low.

The Flyers are allowing 69.62 attempts, 16.72 high-danger chances, and 4.78 goals per 60 with Provorov on the ice. Let me put those numbers into perspective for you.

Ty Smith has sucked this season. He’s been flat-out terrible and looks completely outclassed regardless of the competition.

With Smith on the ice, the Devils have allowed 66.79 attempts, 13.78 high-danger chances, and 2.92 goals per 60. Yeah, Provorov is playing that poorly.

If I’m Lindy Ruff, I’m using last change to my advantage and getting Jack Hughes – the team’s most dynamic offensive player – on the ice against Provorov every chance I get.