Pregame Notes: 12/22 Devils vs. Flyers

DEVILS VS. FLYERS
Tonight is the first of five meetings between the Devils and Flyers in 2016-17. The clubs will meet again for their next match-up on Jan. 21 at Wells Fargo Center.
This game begins New Jersey's seventh of 18 sets of back-to-back games. The Devils are 1-3-2 in first games and 3-1-2 in second games of back-to-backs. The Devils are 2-1-2 vs. the Metropolitan Division and are 6-6-5 against the Eastern Conference in 2016-17.
New Jersey was 2-1-1 vs. Philadelphia in 2015-16. The club is 2-2-2 at home and is 7-3-2 overall against the Flyers since the 2013-14 season.
Taylor Hall has nine points (5g-4a) in six career games vs. Phi. Travis Zajac's has more points (32) vs. the Flyers than any other opponent.
Keith Kinkaid and Cory Schneider are a combined 5-3-1 vs. Philadelphia in their careers.

FLYERS CONNECTIONS
Executive VP/GM Ray Shero's father, Fred, served as Philadelphia's Head Coach from 1971-78; the Flyers went to four Stanley Cup Finals under Shero and won back-to-back championships in 1974 & 75…Flyers' President Paul Holmgren & Senior VP Bobby Clarke both played for Fred Shero during his tenure as Head Coach…Travis Zajac played under Flyers Head Coach Dave Hakstol at the University of North Dakota from 2004-06…John Moore was teammates with Steve Mason and Jakub Voracek during his time spent with Columbus…Flyers' goaltender Anthony Stolarz was born in Edison, NJ and played youth hockey with the New Jersey Youth Devils, NJ Jr. Titans and New Jersey Hitmen.