The Flyers can push their point streak to five games as they welcome in the Ottawa Senators for the first time this season. The two won’t see each other again for exactly three months when Philadelphia heads to Canada. And they’ll wrap up the three game season series at the end of April back home.
After they had won three in a row, the Flyers looked almost lifeless against a struggling Montreal Canadiens team. The latter had lost seven in a row, having lost more in that streak than games they had won on the season. While the Flyers continued their point streak after a shootout loss, it was a big step backwards after the progress they had made.
Ottawa is towards the bottom of the standings, but they have plenty of young talent on their roster. And they have some upside despite have issues with consistent play. Philadelphia is clearly the better team between the two, but will need to show it on the ice.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 11-12-5 (27 points, 6th in Metro)
The Flyers received some bad news heading into tonight’s matchup. Max Willman became the second player to recently be moved into COVID protocol. Morgan Frost left the game against the Devils and would not travel to Montreal. Carter Hart will also be sidelined as he is out with what is currently being described as an undetermined illness.
The good news came in the form of Joel Farabee returning to the lineup. Mike Yeo originally seemed to air on the side of caution when it came to Farabee returning this weekend. He took place in his first full practice this past Wednesday in fact. But he will return to the lineup after missing the last seven games.
During that span, he remained third on the team in goals and is one of nine players with double-digit points. Farabee had three goals in his last five games before injuring his shoulder. The Flyers will certainly welcome him back.
The lineup won’t change too much with Willman departing and Farabee entering. Recent call up Jackson Cates remains in the lineup after scoring his first NHL goal in the shootout loss. And while Derick Brassard is reportedly close to returning, he remains out of the lineup.
With Hart sidelined, it’ll be Martin Jones tending the crease for Philadelphia. While he played decently well in his last win, he’ll no doubt look to be sharper against a team that he should be favored in. He’ll look for win number five on the season.
Projected Lineup
Farabee – Couturier – Konecny
Lindblom- Giroux – Atkinson
Laughton – Hayes – van Riemsdyk
Cates – Brown – MacEwen
Provorov – Braun
Sanheim – Ristolainen
Yandle – Connauton
Jones
Ottawa Senators
Record: 9-17-1 (19 points, 7th in Atlantic)
While the Senators sit towards the bottom of the league, they have played fairly well recently. Winners of five of their last seven, Ottawa has shutout Tampa Bay and put up eight goals on the Florida Panthers. They certainly have the offensive talent towards the top of their lineup and can show some fight.
Speaking of their offensive taken, Drake Batherson leads the team in points (28) and assists (19) while his nine goals are third on the team. He has already broken a career high in assists and will no doubt reach a new high in points as well. In his fourth season with the Senators, Batherson looks like he has the potential to be a star.
Brady Tkachuk has already established himself as one of Ottawa’s top players. He is well on his way to another 20-goal season, his third in four seasons. His 12 goals are second on the team while his 22 points are tied for second. And with five goals in his last five games, the Flyers should keep a close eye on him.
Ottawa has not been very strong at keeping the puck out of their net as a whole this season. It’ll be Anton Forsberg who is tasked with that goal his evening. For a team that sits as far down as they do, Forsberg has put up some decent numbers. He holds a 3.09 GAA and a .909 SV%. He’s given up two or fewer goals in his last four games.
Projected Lineup
Tkachuk – Norris – Batherson
Formenton – Stutzle – Brown
Sanford – Tierney – Ennis
Paul – Gambrell – Watson
Chabot – Zub
Holden – Bernard-Docker
Heatherington – Mete
Forsberg
When, Where, and How to Watch
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Wells Fargo Center
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: Fubo TV
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