Flyers Look to Extend Point Streak by Checkmating Kings
The Flyers escaped their meeting with the Sharks with a point and will look to continue the point streak against the Los Angeles Kings, who they will meet for the first time this season. While the Flyers have managed to swipe three out of four points thus far on the west coast swing, the team has not been convincing and should feel fortunate to have done so. The statistics are not pretty, as they have been outshot 57 – 35 so far. With a day’s rest and further acclimation to the west coast, there is reason to believe that the Flyers will put out a strong effort against the Kings.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have extended their point streak to seven games, leaning heavily on their goaltending since heading out west. On the bright side, the team seems to be getting more dangerous during 5 on 5 play, though it is not often sustained or generating shots. Given the team’s recent schedule, this can be looked at as a positive development, perhaps the offense is getting close to breaking out.
Two players to watch are JVR and Oskar Lindblom. JVR seems to be asserting himself, especially in the offensive zone. The normally passive van Riemsdyk has been taking the body and finishing checks on offense. JVR seems to be spending more time in the slot and looking to unleash shots when he is there. The Flyers need this from him.
Lindblom has started to really find his game for the first time since returning from cancer. I expect to see another strong game from him and him to collect a point against the Kings.
Even though the team is collecting points, there is some reason for concern. The Flyers have been extremely bad when trying to exit the defensive zone. They seem content to pitch the puck out to the opposition’s blue line and concede possession. If they can clean up leaving their zone it should make the team look better and reduce the gaping margin in shot differential.
Projected Lineup
van Riemsdyk – Giroux – Atkinson
Willman – Hayes – Farabee
Lindblom – Frost – Konecny
Cates – Brown – MacEwen
Provorov – Braun
Sanheim – Ristolainen
Yandle – Connauton
Jones
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have been uneven after the Holiday/Covid break. The first game back saw them drop a 6 -3 decision to the Golden Knights, in what was widely accepted as one of their worst efforts of the season The Kings rebounded two days later by knocking off the Canucks, who had not lost in seven games. It appears the Flyers will be facing the Kings as they are trending upwards.
The Kings will be led by veterans Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar, who are still effective players despite their age and lead the Kings in average time on ice for their positions. Jonathon Quick is still playing for the Kings. He has gathered the majority of starts this season and is enjoying a revival season with a save percentage north of .920.
The player Flyers’ fans and defenders should watch is Alex Iafallo. The undrafted Minnesota-Duluth product has been nothing but extremely effective since joining the Kings. Iafallo is a player who does most of his work without the puck, cruising the dirty areas and waiting to pounce on rebounds. He has an uncanny ability to shake defenders and end up where the puck does and in a position to score. The Flyers need to keep him shadowed.
Projected Lineup
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Grundstrom – Turcotte – Kupari
Lemieux – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Anderson – Doughty
Wolanin – Roy
Bjornfot – Durzi
Quick
Matchup
The knock on the Kings is they are unable to finish their chances. Their team mark of a CF% of 52.45 is seventh in the league. By contrast, the Flyers are 25th with a CF% of 47.50. The Kings have 56 5v5 goals this season to the Flyers 54. This seems to speak to the Kings’ inability to finish their chances.
Look for the Kings to apply an aggressive forecheck to generate turnovers and chances. After the Flyers’ last efforts, this seems to be a King strength that focuses on a Flyers weakness specifically. This is not good news for Philadelphia.
To win Flyers will need to have continued strong efforts in net, as Jones is likely to face a lot of rubber this game. They will increase their chances of victory if they can get an early lead, it will force the Kings to press in light of their inability to score,
With both squads’ special teams anything but special, it is hard to imagine the game being decided by them. However, the Flyers’ powerplay was so bad against the Sharks, it does make me wonder having the man advantage may cost them at some point.
I predict the Flyers score early and take a hard-fought 3-1 victory in a game that advanced metrics will say they should have lost.
Happy New Year and Let’s Go Flyers!!!
When, Where, and How to Watch
Time: 10:30 PM
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: Fubo TV
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