Flyers Set to Face White-Hot Florida Panthers
By Collin Coyne
In their final game of the season-opening four-game homestand, the Philadelphia Flyers are taking on the white-hot Florida Panthers in hopes to head out west with a three-game win streak in hand.
After a few statement victories over Seattle and Boston this past week, the Flyers have looked dangerous offensively with all of GM Chuck Fletcher’s new acquisitions making their presences known on the scoresheet. They will be looking to continue that tonight against a Panthers team that has yet to lose four games into their 2021-22 campaign.
A win for either team would speak highly towards their legitimacy as a contender for the cup this season, as both teams have had a number of question marks about their play so far. A big win tonight could become a turning point that elevates one of these teams into the league’s next echelon.
Projected Lineups: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Florida Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 2-0-1 (5 Points)
The scorching offense of the newly dubbed “FAB” line has been a highlight of this early season, with Joel Farabee picking up where he left off last season by leading the team in points through the early goings this season. His linemates Cam Atkinson and Derick Brassard have also made their mark with Atkinson potting three goals thus far, and Brassard picking up four helpers and a goal himself.
Travis Konecny has been showing up as well, joining Farabee in scoring a goal in each of the first three games, setting a record for the club, as no two Flyers have ever put together a three-game goal streak to start the season. Konecny and Farabee will both be looking to make more history tonight.
The main story for the Flyers tonight, though, is the loss of defensive stalwart Ryan Ellis, who will not play tonight and has the potential to miss more games beyond, though head coach Alain Vigneault says Ellis will make the road trip with the team. Ellis has been notable on the scoresheet, but his pairing with Provorov has been incredible, with both defensemen excelling at both ends of the ice.
His absence will be felt, but newly anointed Philadelphia folk hero Nick Seeler will see his return to the lineup after having been sent down to make room for Rasmus Ristolainen. Seeler has looked good in his limited time as an injury call-up, and if his fight against Seattle’s Jaime Oleksiak is any indication, he’s certainly got some energy.
28 Claude Giroux – 14 Sean Couturier – 11 Travis Konecny
86 Joel Farabee – 19 Derick Brassard – 89 Cam Atkinson
23 Oskar Lindblom – 21 Scott Laughton – 25 James van Riemsdyk
62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel – 44 Nate Thompson – 17 Zack MacEwen
9 Ivan Provorov – 61 Justin Braun
6 Travis Sanheim – 70 Rasmus Ristolainen
3 Keith Yandle – 24 Nick Seeler
79 Carter Hart
35 Martin Jones
Florida Panthers
Record: 4-0-0 (8 Points)
The Florida Panthers came into the 21-22 season with some fairly high expectations, but to say they’ve exceeded them is an understatement. The Panthers have had a grueling schedule to start the season, playing against the defending champion Lightning, the Avalanche, and the Islanders but have managed to not only win but dominate at both ends of the ice.
Sergei Bobrovsky and young phenom Spencer Knight have been outstanding in the early goings, only allowing a single goal in three of their first four games. Bobrovsky’s play especially is noteworthy, as he looked downright bad last season, so a return to form from him with the addition of Knight could form a tandem that rivals some of the best in the league this season.
Not unlike the Flyers, the Panthers have also been seeing scoring production from all four lines, with new acquisition Sam Reinhart looking particularly good after leaving Buffalo. A team with as talented a forward as Aleksander Barkov, fresh off a Selke winning 2020-21 campaign, having quality depth is a team worth respecting, and the Flyers will certainly have their hands full tonight.
23 Carter Verhaeghe – 16 Aleksander Barkov – 10 Anthony Duclair
11 Jonathan Huberdeau – 9 Sam Bennett – 74 Owen Tippett
70 Patric Hörnqvist – 15 Anton Lundell – 13 Sam Reinhart
77 Frank Vatrano – 27 Eetu Luostarinen – 17 Mason Marchment
52 MacKenzie Weegar – 5 Aaron Ekblad
2 Gus Forsling – 7 Radko Gudas
44 Kevin Connauton – 62 Brandon Montour
72 Sergei Bobrovsky
[30 Spencer Knight]
Where, When, and How to Watch
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Wells Fargo Center
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Bally Sports Florida
Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: Fubo TV
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