When the Devils take the ice against the Flyers Wednesday night (7:30, NBCSN, WFAN 660 AM), they will be looking to win two games in a row for the first time in over a month. It will not be easy against the division rival Flyers, but New Jersey says it’s up for the challenge.
“They are right behind us and it’s going to be a tough game,” Patrik Elias said. “It’s the homestretch, really.”
The Devils (12-9-5) are 7-2-1 against the Atlantic Division this season, and have beaten the Flyers (12-14-1) in two previous meetings. They are four points ahead of the Flyers, with a game in hand, and play a home-and-home with the second game in Philadelphia on Friday.
“I think if we were far away from each other in the standings, it would still be an intense game,” goalie Johan Hedberg said, who will start his ninth-straight game while Martin Brodeur remains out because of a back injury.
Brodeur did skate yesterday for the first time since injuring his back Feb. 24 in warm-ups against Winnipeg, but he still is not close to returning.
“There is no timetable until he is 100 percent,” general manager Lou Lamoriello said before the team practiced yesterday.
He also said Brodeur needs to rehab and build up his strength because he has been off the ice for 2 1/2 weeks.