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Flyers, Devils renew rivalry in the Garden State

Nov 27, 2010 - 4:19 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of Atlantic Division rivals will meet for the first time since last year's playoffs when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the New Jersey Devils today at the Prudential Center.

Philadelphia dominated the Devils in 2009-10, winning five out of six regular- season meetings before disposing of New Jersey in five games during the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. That postseason series ended on Apr. 22 in Newark, where the Flyers clinched the series with a 3-0 win and took their first step towards a run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Flyers have won six of seven and nine of the last 13 regular-season meetings overall and have also taken three out of four in New Jersey.

The Devils have struggled early this season, while Philadelphia is among the top teams in the East. The Flyers are leading the Atlantic Division with 33 points and are second in the conference standings after Washington.

New Jersey, meanwhile, has just 16 points on the year and is one point ahead of the New York Islanders for last place in the East.

The Devils were actually dealt a loss by the lowly Islanders on Friday afternoon, as Rick DiPietro made 29 saves for his 16th career shutout in New York's 2-0 win at Nassau Coliseum. The victory snapped the Isles' club-record 14-game losing streak.

New Jersey had entered Friday's game on a two-game winning streak, marking the first time the Devils had managed consecutive wins this season.

Johan Hedberg stopped 18 shots in the losing effort against the Islanders and New Jersey was shut out for the fourth time this season. Hedberg is expected to get the start against tonight as Martin Brodeur continues to nurse a bruised elbow.

New Jersey captain Jamie Langenbrunner missed his seventh straight game with a neck injury on Friday and the veteran forward is questionable for today's tilt.

The Devils have won two straight on home ice, but are just 3-5-2 as the host this season.

The Flyers had a three-game winning streak snapped Friday afternoon, losing a shootout decision to the visiting Calgary Flames.

Rene Bourque notched the winner in the decisive phase as the Flames nipped Philadelphia, 3-2. After Mike Richards was unable to score on the backhand to start the third round, Bourque beat Sergei Bobrovsky with a snapshot inside the left post to end the contest.

James van Riemsdyk and Nikolay Zherdev tallied for the Flyers, while Bobrovsky made 28 saves in the loss.

"I think that we played a hungry hockey team. I think we're capable of playing better," said Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette. "I wouldn't say we stole a point. We didn't generate a whole lot offensively."

Van Riemsdyk has recorded a goal in three straight games and also enters today riding a five-game point streak.

Philadelphia has won three of its last four road tests and is 6-2-2 as the guest this year.