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WHAT'S NEXT
The Devils have their home opener on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. The game can be seen on MSG and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.
If you're going to Saturday's game, make sure you get in your seats early for the festivities!
Limited tickets are still available!
Here are some observations from the game...
- The Devils failed to generate a lot inside of the Flyers. That's not entirely surprising as Philadelphia head coach John Tortorella's style of play demands his players collapse to the net, keep everything to the perimeter and try to block the outside shots. The Devils fell prey, trying a lot of long-range shots that hit bodies in front (there were 28 total blocks by the Flyers). When New Jersey did get its shots on net, Carter Hart either stopped smothered them, or the Devils couldn't find any second opportunities off of rebounds.
"They put a lot of people around the front of the net," Ruff said. "There were some perimeter ones where we missed the net. It's important you get those on net and battle for second opportunities."
- Holtz worked all off-season to improve his skating and strength in an effort to make the NHL roster out of training camp. He accomplished that feat, but in order to remain in the League he knew that he needed to score. Holtz's shot is his biggest asset, and the Devils need a finisher.
It didn't take long for Holtz to breakthrough for his first-career NHL goal. It took all of 8:01 minutes. Holtz ripped a shot that squeezed under Carter Hart's arm and trickled over the goal line.
"I was very happy," Holtz said. "I put in so much work to get to this point. I was really happy, but unfortunately we didn't get the win today."
- Haula, 31, has already been a major factor for the Devils. He made a few nice plays on the penalty kill by intercepting passes and executing clears. And there was no hesitation. As soon as he got possession, the puck was out of the zone. But Haula's biggest contribution came in the faceoff circle. He went 19 for 23 in the faceoff circle, winning 83 percent of his draws.
- Coming into the year, the Devils wanted to be a harder team to play against. That's why they acquired such players as Brendan Smith, Ondrej Palat and Haula. Smith especially plays a sandpaper and hard-nosed style of game. Following a whistle, Smith started a scrum after leveling Konecny to the ice. Early in the first period Miles Wood rubbed Scott Laughton into the glass after a whistle that started another skirmish. Nathan Bastian, Tomas Tatar and many others also got involved on occasions throughout the game. It was something sorely missed for New Jersey last year.
