Devils Nico Hischier not focused on Flyers Nolan Patrick

NEWARK – Not surprisingly, Nico Hischier, the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft who, since Day 1 of the Devils’ training camp has emphasized the team’s accomplishments over his own, has given little to no thought to his first regular-season game against Nolan Patrick, selected second overall by the Flyers.

“I got to know him and he’s a great guy, but [Saturday] we play against him,” Hischier said after Friday’s practice at Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center. “For me, it’s good to see him, play against him. But it’s just another team and we just want to win this game. It’s not like a one-on-one competition.”

The Devils (22-11-8) resume their season after their bye week and start the second half of their schedule when they face the Flyers on Saturday night at The Rock (Faceoff: 7 p.m.; Television: MSG Plus; Radio: digital WFAN.com, One Jersey Network). The Devils are looking to snap a season-high five-game losing streak (0-2-3) while the Flyers (19-15-8) went into their bye week having won three straight.

It’s the first of two meetings in eight days between the Metropolitan Division rivals, who will play all four games in their season series by Feb. 13.

Nico vs. Nolan was a hot topic leading up to June as the 6-foot-2, 198-pound Patrick was long considered the consensus No. 1 pick. But that was before the 6-1, 175-pound’s Hischier shot up the draft board during his lone season with Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (38 goals, 48 assists in 57 games) and with his performance for Switzerland in the World Junior Championships.

“Both guys are exceptional players and Nolan’s done a good job in Philly,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “Nico’s been very good for us. I think things worked out the way they were supposed to.”

So far, the Devils have certainly been justified in their selection of Hischier, who has eight goals and 18 assists while averaging 16:20 of ice time in 41 games, and is centering the top line with All-Star left wing Taylor Hall and fellow rookie Jesper Bratt.

Meanwhile, Patrick, tried briefly as a No. 2 center earlier this season but now regularly played as a bottom-six center, has two goals and six assists while averaging 12:06 in 33 games. He missed nine games with a concussion suffered on Oct. 24. Patrick also struggled with injuries in his final season with Brandon (Western Hockey League) as he compiled 20 goals and 26 assists in 33 games.

“We put too much pressure on these kids,” said 32-year-old Devils right wing Drew Stafford, likely to be back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch the previous seven games. “We expect everyone’s going to be like Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews. Nico’s obviously had a heck of a year but he’s 19. I think the amount of pressure and hype they have, it’s a lot, mentally, to handle that.

“I don’t think he’s been part of a training camp as hard as we had and how much we expect out of things,” Stafford added. “Once they get that challenge, you’re either going to rise to the occasion or not. And he did.”

Hischier’s game is predicated on speed while Patrick is more of a classic power forward with a game based around his physical strength and size.

Patrick was scouted as having more of a polished two-way game and is playing in more of a defensive role, though Hischier has impressed the Devils with his defensive play. But with his playmaking ability and stickhandling talents, Hischier is the more dynamic offensive player and fits the Devils’ up-tempo system.

Hall knows all about No. 1 vs. No. 2 rivalries as in 2010, the debate was Taylor vs. Tyler. The Oilers wound up selecting Hall with the first pick while Tyler Seguin, now with the Stars, was selected second overall by the Bruins.

“For the first couple of years there, it was a game you got fired up for,” Hall said. “Maybe a bit more than you should you think about those things. Nico seems to be an even-keeled kid, a bit more than I was.”

BRIEFS: Goalie Cory Schneider will start for the Devils. …Defenseman Mirco Mueller (fractured left clavicle) skated with his teammate for the first time since getting hurt on Nov. 12. Hynes listed him as day to day.

E-mail: grossa@northjersey.com