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New-look Flyers aim to finally knock off Devils

Oct 18, 2007 - 2:13 PM New Jersey (3-3-0) at Philadelphia (4-1-0) 7:00 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers' offseason moves have paid early dividends.

Philadelphia aims for its fourth straight win when it hosts the defending Atlantic Division champion New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

The Flyers hope their new additions can help them finally beat their division rival. Philadelphia has lost three straight to New Jersey, as well as 10 of the last 11 meetings.

Martin Biron, who was acquired from Buffalo this past offseason, stopped 31 shots to record his first shutout of the season in a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday.

Biron has started every game this season and posted a miniscule 1.81 goals-against average for Philadelphia, which did not win its fifth game of the season until November 16 last season.

Joffrey Lupul, who was acquired from Edmonton in an offseason trade, had two assists in Tuesday's win. Another key newcomer has been Daniel Briere, who has four goals and four assists in five games.

As for New Jersey, it enters having won two straight. However, goaltender Martin Brodeur has not been himself thus far. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has a 3.41 GAA this season and allowed four goals in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Pittsburgh.

Luckily for the Devils, they have been uncharacteristically good offensively, having scored 11 goals in the past two contests. That outburst came after New Jersey had managed a total of four goals in its first four games.

The Devils, who won the season series 7-0-1 last season, are 3-3-0 during their franchise record nine-game road trip.