The New Jersey Devils traveled down the turnpike on Thursday as they prepared to open their 40th season against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Arena. Devils goaltender, Mackenzie Blackwood started between the pipes, along with Flyers goaltender, Carter Hart, on the other end. The Flyers were able to put four goals past Blackwood, and one into an empty Devils goal. The Devils were only able to put two past Hart as the three goal deficit was enough for the Flyers to start their season 1-0. The Flyers won the game 5-2.
Last season, the Devils played seven goaltenders! Injury after injury did nothing but hurt the Devils as they finished 28th overall in the whole league. Mackenzie Blackwood was battling injuries last year and is now feeling 100% ready for this season.
Devils RW Alexander Holtz scored his first career NHL goal as he snuck the puck between Hart’s arm and body. The Devils got on the board first, but the Flyers quickly responded as Wade Allison lit the lamp 23 seconds later. The first period ended 1-1.
The Flyers came out and dominated the second period. Travis Konecny put the Flyers ahead 2-1 on the power play at the 10:39 mark. Morgan Frost added to the lead less than a minute later. The game began to slip away from the Devils at that point, however they were able to escape the period with the score remaining 3-1.
The third period started and the Flyers picked up right were they left off. Travis Konecny put the puck behind Blackwood for the second time just 1:31 into the third period.
Devils defenseman, Damon Severson, was able to answer back at the 9:26 mark as he put the puck past Hart’s left shoulder.
The Devils then gained momentum but time was not on their side. Devils head coach Lindy Ruff pulled Blackwood to gain more skaters. However it did not work in their favor as Morgan Frost sealed the game with an empty net goal, handing the Devils their first loss of the season.
The Devils play their first home game of the 22-23 season at the Prudential Center on Saturday. As they host the Detroit Redwings. The Devils look to get back on track in hopes that last season does not repeat itself.
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