Philadelphia Flyers: Voracek’s absence highlights new lineup changes
The Flyers will be moving a few players around heading into their big showdown with the Lightning.
Despite coming away with wins in two of their round robin games, the Flyers will make a couple of lineup changes before Saturday’s game. We don’t have a time just yet, but we do know who will be taking the ice.
Alain Vigneault has spoken about how he feels that the team still hasn’t fully reached their potential. It’s been noticeable in both of the first periods of their games. And even with a win against Washington, it wasn’t the Flyers best game.
They have been able to pull out wins despite their best efforts, though. So if the Flyers can come out firing against Tampa, the league should absolutely be on notice.
The most obviously change will be Carter Hart’s return to the net. Brian Elliott performed extremely well against the Capitals. But Hart is the number one guy going in.
After a one game absence, James van Riemsdyk will check back into the lineup. He will join Derek Grant and Nicolas Aube-Kubel on the third line. That would move Connor Bunnaman back out of the lineup.
He made his NHL playoff debut against the Capitals. He was most noticeable on the forecheck, something he prides his game on. It was a good test for him to get some action, even if it was only temporary.
Shayne Gostisbehere will also be back in the lineup for the first time since the exhibition game against the Penguins. He will be on the third period with Justin Braun. That moves Robert Hagg to a healthy scratch. He’s been unlucky during round-robin play with pucks bouncing off him and into the Flyers net.
Gostisbehere may have an opportunity to appear on the team’s top power play unit. They have struggled during the return to play and could use some kind of spark.
The biggest change comes on the top line. Jakub Voracek will be unavailable for the game against Tampa Bay. The Flyers are unable to say why he will be missing the game. Vigneault did mention that it wasn’t a coach’s decision. So there is some kind of reason he cannot play.
That gives Joel Farabee a huge opportunity in just his second postseason game. He will take Voracek’s spot on the top line with Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier.