Flyers edge Devils with late surge despite New Jersey comeback hopes

In Philadelphia, on Monday night, January 27, 2025, the Philadelphia Flyers played against the New Jersey Devils in a closely contested NHL matchup. The Flyers built a significant three-goal lead early in the game, largely thanks to contributions from Bobby Brink, Joel Farabee, and Garnet Hathaway. Scott Laughton also played a vital role, adding a goal and an assist as the Flyers aimed to break a two-game losing streak. This victory marked the opening game of a home-and-home series between the two teams, further intensifying the rivalry. The first period saw Brink score on a power play with just under nine minutes remaining, followed quickly by Farabee's goal, which extended the lead to 2-0 just 28 seconds later. Hathaway added another goal early in the second period, giving the Flyers a commanding 3-0 advantage over the visiting Devils. Despite the significant pressure from the Flyers on both ends of the ice, the Devils were determined to recover from the deficit, aiming to prove their resilience. Dougie Hamilton managed to score for the Devils late in the second period, giving New Jersey a glimmer of hope by reducing the deficit to two goals. The game remained competitive, and Timo Meier made a strong effort to pull the Devils closer when he netted a goal during a crucial 6-on-5 situation with only 1:22 left in the third period. However, Laughton's empty-net goal with just 14.7 seconds left extinguished any hopes of a comeback for New Jersey, securing the Flyers' win. This victory was significant as it snapped the Flyers' two-game losing streak and marked their fourth consecutive win at home. Moreover, it demonstrated the Flyers' offensive capabilities, which they hope will be instrumental in making a playoff push later in the season. The victory also highlighted the ongoing struggles for the Devils, who have been unable to secure a win against the Flyers in both meetings this season. The two teams are set to meet again in New Jersey for another game in this home-and-home series on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, where the Devils will have the opportunity to improve their performance and potentially break their losing streak against a rival team.