Metropolitan Division Rivalry: Devils at Flyers, November 22, 2025

The Metropolitan Division rivalry takes center stage on November 22, 2025, as the New Jersey Devils visit the Philadelphia Flyers in a crucial early-season matchup. With New Jersey sitting at 13-6-1 but riding a two-game losing streak, and Philadelphia holding a surprising 10-6-3 record that has them in playoff contention, this game carries significant weight for both clubs. The Devils, despite their strong overall record, have struggled offensively since losing star center Jack Hughes to a finger injury, converting just one of nine power-play opportunities in their last three contests. Meanwhile, the Flyers have been one of the season’s biggest surprises under new head coach Rick Tocchet, with trade acquisition Trevor Zegras leading the team in scoring and Dan Vladar providing stability in goal.

New Jersey Devils projected lineup November 22 2025

The Devils will ice a familiar forward group as they look to snap their mini-slump and reclaim their spot atop the division standings. Head coach Lindy Ruff is expected to keep his top line intact, featuring the dynamic trio that has carried the offensive load throughout the early portion of the season.

Top six forward combinations The first line features Finnish winger Timo Meier flanking captain Nico Hischier at center and Swedish star Jesper Bratt on the opposite wing. This unit has generated consistent scoring chances despite Bratt’s recent goal drought, with the winger recording just one goal in his last 13 games, though he has contributed six assists during that stretch. Bratt’s playmaking ability remains elite, and his chemistry with Hischier continues to evolve as the season progresses.

The second line showcases promising young talent, with Russian rookie Arseny Gritsyuk joining Dawson Mercer and veteran Connor Brown. Gritsyuk has been a revelation since being inserted into the lineup, providing a spark that earned him a promotion to the top line during Saturday’s morning skate. Mercer continues to develop as a reliable two-way center, while Brown brings championship experience and defensive responsibility to the unit.

Bottom six depth and grinding lines The third line consists of battle-tested veterans Ondrej Palat, Juho Lammikko, and Evgenii Dadonov. This trio provides defensive stability and can chip in offensively when needed. Palat’s playoff experience and Dadonov’s scoring touch make them dangerous despite reduced minutes, while Lammikko excels at faceoffs and penalty killing duties.

The fourth line features energy players Paul Cotter, Luke Glendening, and Stefan Noesen. Glendening’s faceoff prowess and defensive awareness make him a valuable asset in late-game situations, while Cotter and Noesen bring physicality and forechecking pressure that can wear down opposing defenses over the course of a game.

Philadelphia Flyers projected lineup November 22 2025

Philadelphia enters this contest with renewed confidence following an overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Coach Rick Tocchet has found a winning formula that maximizes his roster’s strengths while shielding its weaknesses.

Revitalized top line leading the charge The Flyers’ top unit features 2024 first-round pick Matvei Michkov alongside captain Sean Couturier and emerging winger Bobby Brink. Michkov’s elite skill set has translated well to the NHL level, while Couturier provides the defensive foundation that allows his linemates to take offensive risks. Brink’s speed and finishing ability have made him a perfect complement to his more heralded linemates.

Tocchet’s system has unlocked new potential in former Anaheim Duck Trevor Zegras, who centers the second line with Christian Dvorak and Owen Tippett. Zegras leads the team with 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists) and has thrived under the Flyers’ structured yet creative approach. Tippett returned to practice after a maintenance day Friday and should be at full strength for Saturday’s contest.

Physical bottom six and energy lines The third line presents a scoring threat with Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates, and Travis Konecny. Konecny has been productive despite a five-game goal drought, posting four assists in that span and registering at least one point in 11 of his last 14 contests. His ability to generate offense and agitate opponents makes him a key factor in this rivalry matchup.

The fourth line brings traditional Flyers grit with Nicolas Deslauriers, Rodrigo Abols, and Garnet Hathaway. This unit will be tasked with matching the Devils’ physicality and establishing a strong forecheck to keep New Jersey’s skilled defensemen pinned in their own zone.

Key matchups to watch November 22 2025

The individual battles across the ice will likely determine the outcome of this Metropolitan Division clash. Both teams feature strengths in different areas, creating fascinating tactical matchups.

Goaltending duel takes center stage Dan Vladar gets the nod for Philadelphia after stopping 27 of 29 shots in Thursday’s win. The Czech netminder has posted a solid 2.37 goals-against average and .911 save percentage this season, providing the stability that has been the foundation of the Flyers’ surprising start. His ability to track pucks through traffic will be tested by the Devils’ skilled forwards.

Jake Allen will start his second consecutive game for New Jersey, having allowed just one goal on 24 shots against Florida in his last outing. Allen has been excellent lately, surrendering only four goals in his previous three starts while making 85 saves. His veteran presence and playoff experience give the Devils confidence during their current injury crisis.

Defensive assignments and pairings The Devils’ blue line features a mix of youth and experience, with Jonas Siegenthaler and Simon Nemec forming the top pair. Nemec’s emergence as a minute-eating defenseman has been crucial for New Jersey, providing transition offense and solid defensive zone coverage. The second pair of Brenden Dillon and Luke Hughes brings offensive creativity, while the third pair of Dennis Cholowski and Dougie Hamilton adds veteran savvy.

Philadelphia’s defense corps has been reshaped by injuries, with Rasmus Ristolainen sidelined by a triceps issue. The top pairing of Cam York and Travis Sanheim has handled increased responsibility admirably, while the second pair features Emil Andrae and Jamie Drysdale. Coach Tocchet may insert Egor Zamula after scratching him for seven consecutive games, potentially replacing Noah Juulsen in the lineup.

Injury report and lineup notes November 22 2025

Both teams enter this matchup dealing with significant injury concerns that have forced lineup adjustments and tested organizational depth.

Devils’ mounting injury concerns New Jersey’s injury list continues to grow, with star center Jack Hughes sidelined until at least January with a finger injury. His absence has been felt most acutely on the power play, where the Devils have converted just one of nine opportunities over the last three games. The team has generated three expected goals in 17 minutes of power-play time but has failed to create enough high-danger chances, managing only seven such opportunities.

Additional absentees include Zack MacEwen (undisclosed), Brett Pesce (hand), Johnathan Kovacevic (lower body), Marc McLaughlin (upper body), and Cody Glass (upper body). The team assigned defenseman Ethan Edwards to Utica of the AHL on Friday, indicating confidence in their current roster construction. Shane Lachance and Colton White are expected to be healthy scratches.

Flyers’ lineup decisions and health updates Philadelphia is relatively healthy compared to their rivals, with only Rasmus Ristolainen missing significant time due to his triceps injury. Coach Tocchet has been managing his roster carefully, giving maintenance days to key players like Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster to ensure they’re fresh for important divisional games.

The Flyers held an optional morning skate on Saturday, and Tocchet remained coy about his final lineup decisions. “There’s a couple of guys who are banged up,” the coach told reporters, “and would be game-time decisions.” This suggests that Nikita Grebenkin and Noah Juulsen could be scratched in favor of fresher legs, with Egor Zamula potentially drawing into the lineup for the first time since November 2.

What this means for the Metropolitan Division race

Saturday’s result could have significant implications for the tightly contested Metropolitan Division. The Devils currently sit just one point out of first place despite their recent struggles, while the Flyers occupy seventh place but remain within striking distance of the playoff picture. A Philadelphia victory would pull them closer to their rivals and demonstrate that their early-season success is sustainable.

For New Jersey, snapping their two-game losing streak would validate their ability to win without their star center and maintain their position among the division’s elite. The power play’s efficiency will likely be the deciding factor, as special teams often swing tight divisional games. With both teams featuring strong goaltending and structured defensive systems, finishing chances becomes even more critical.

The Flyers’ emergence as a competitive team under Tocchet has added another layer to this historic rivalry. No longer can the Devils afford to overlook their Pennsylvania neighbors, as Philadelphia has proven capable of defeating top-tier competition. This game represents a measuring stick for both franchises: have the Devils built enough depth to survive injuries to their core players, and have the Flyers truly turned a corner in their rebuild? The answers will become clear when the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.