Carter Hart returns to the net for Flyers against Islanders
By Mike Zawisza
The Philadelphia Flyers are back in action Saturday night vs the New York Islanders — one of the few teams against which the Flyers sport a winning record. They are 3-1-1 against the team that shut them down in the playoffs during the bubble but haven’t been able to translate that to the rest of the division.
The last time these two teams met, the Islanders erased a third-period deficit and took the Flyers down in overtime, following a series of ugly giveaways and a senior citizen moment by Brian Elliott.
The Flyers will look to get back in the win column tonight following an embarrassing loss to the worst team in the league. Will they deliver? Can’t say this team instills too much confidence.
Philadelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils: Projected Lineups
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 17-14-4 (38 Points)
The Flyers will be going with a different lineup for what feels like the 100th time in this shortened season. Head coach Alain Vigneault confirmed that Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom will return to the lineup following their three-day rest.
Some positive news for the night is the expected debut of the highly touted college prospect, Tanner Laczynski. Since returning to the Phantoms lineup following an injury, Laczynski has been on fire. The young center/winger hybrid has six goals and four assists in 14 games this season down in Lehigh. AV mentioned he likes the versatility he brings in the lineup and how his compete level doesn’t falter in the AHL. Go get ’em, kid.
Shayne Gostisbehere appears to be joining the team following his “demotion” to the taxi squad. Not exactly sure how he feels about the way the past week has gone.
All eyes will be on the crease tonight as Carter Hart returns to the net after nearly a week of work with goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh. Hart has struggled at times this year to find consistency and isn’t seeing much help from his defensemen. Hopefully, this time off allowed him to reset, refocus and get the technical part of his game back on track. While this season may be a lost cause, Hart’s ability to play at an elite level will more or less dictate the future of this franchise.
With Laczynski making his debut, some speculated Travis Konecny was the odd man out. He was splitting time on the wing with Lindblom during practice, which normally doesn’t bode well. But it’ll be Michael Raffl who sits as a healthy scratch tonight. There wasn’t a reason given, but it could be more maintenance for him.
Forwards
JVR – Couturier – Farabee
Laughton- Hayes – Patrick
Voracek – Giroux – Konecny
Lindblom – Laczynski – Aube-Kubel
Defense
Provorov – Braun
Sanheim – Myers
Morin – Gostisbehere
Goaltenders
Hart
Elliott
New York Islanders
Record: 23-10-4 (50 Points)
The Islanders have picked up right where they left off during the bubble and are pushing the Washington Capitals for the division title.
Fresh off a rout of the Caps, the Islanders are unlikely to make any lineup changes, besides in net. Their combination of speed, sandpaper, and team defense have given teams fits all year. Expect that to remain the same in tonight’s tilt.
The Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck line has killed the Flyers for years — not something you want to say about a fourth-line — so hopefully the additions of Laczynski and Morin to the lineup can counteract their effect on the game.
Forwards
Komarov – Barzal – Eberle
Beauvillier – Nelson – Bailey
Johnston – Pageau – Wahlstrom
Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck
Defense
Pelech – Pulock
Leddy – Mayfield
Greene – Dobson
Goaltenders
Sorokin
Varlamov
Final Thoughts
This season may not technically be lost for the Flyers, but it sure feels that way. At this point, all you really want to see is if the players look like they care. While the veterans have been absolutely incredible to watch this year, you can’t really say the same about the young guns. It’d be nice if they could finish out strong. Either that or guys like Laczynski, Wade Allison, and Zayde Wisdom might be on this team sooner than we thought.
Where, When, and How to Watch
Time: 7 PM EST
Location: Barclays Center
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia, MSG+, ESPN+
Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: Fubo TV
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