EAST RUTHERFORD | The New Jersey Devils and the Flyers fought a heated battle on Saturday evening in the first of two games in the NHL Stadium Series.
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In front of 70,328 fans at MetLife Stadium, the Devils defeated the Flyers 6-3, thanks to a two-goal, one-assist performance from Nico Hischier and two goals from Nathan Bastian, who scored his second goal in a desert net. For his part, Owen Tippett scored two of the Flyers' three goals.
We don't know if it was PK Subban's visit to the locker room before the game, but the Devils started the game strong, with Hischier scoring the first of his two goals after just 32 seconds.
We sense there isn't much love between the two rivals, located at opposite ends of the Garden State Parkway and separated by just a 90-minute drive. The arguments were frequent and lively.
This win allowed the Devils to close the gap on the Flyers, who are in third place in the Metropolitan Division, which comes with a playoff spot. The Flyers have 65 points and the Devils have 60 and still have a game left.
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First experience
“It was a four-point game and it’s a big win for us,” Hischier said enthusiastically after the game.
The Swiss ice hockey player had his first experience at an outdoor game and he really enjoyed it. Maybe the win and his points collection helped a little.
“It's a game I'll never forget. It was a little strange and special in a good way.”
There was no talk of panic in the opposing camp, even if the Devils were slowly breathing down the Flyers' neck.
“There are still 25 games to play, we won't start counting the points. “We’re not ready to do math yet,” emphasized head coach John Tortorella.
He also recalled that due to the nature of these games in stadiums, you never know what to expect.
“These games are like shootouts, the odds are 25-25. People think they're playing on a pond.”
“It was almost freezing cold, there were over 40,000 people sitting in the parking lot drinking Diet Coke. I was told the ice was beautiful, it was a magical day,” he added. Devils head coach Lindy Ruff made reporters laugh.
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the atmosphere
These away games still have a special aura and this one was no different.
When we arrived at MetLife Stadium a good two hours before the game started, the huge parking lots were all full.
It smelled of fire and grills, the beer was flowing freely, young and old were playing hockey or throwing a football to each other and there was music everywhere.
We were treated to a real “tailgate,” especially as the sun quietly set over the New York region at the end of the day after the morning snow. And the Jonas Brothers came to set the mood before the meeting began.
This atmosphere prevailed in the stadium on a cool, but not too cold evening for the time of year. The proof is that the Flyers mascot was even completely naked after his clothes were stolen by his Devils counterpart. We can say that they competed both off and on the ice.