Flyers continue Central-based matchups with visit to Nashville

Mar 17, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (70) battles with Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin (13) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (70) battles with Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin (13) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers are continuing their travels throughout the Central Division as they’ll face off against the Nashville Predators. It will be a revenge game of sorts for the Preds as they’ll look to avenge the 5-4 loss from a little over a week ago.

This Flyers roster looks quite a bit different from the last time these two faced off. It was Claude Giroux’s 1000th game when the Predators were in town. There is also no Justin Braun nor Derick Brassard.

Philadelphia came out hot, scoring the opening goal of the game on Travis Sanheim’s fifth of the season. Nashville took control in the second, outscoring the Flyers 3-2, yet the score was tied at three apiece. The Predators took their first lead of the game just over a minute into the third and it looked like they would spoil the festivities. But the Flyers stormed back in the latter half of the third with two goals in the final five minute. Kevin Hayes and Joel Farabee would grab the goals in the comeback victory.

Philadelphia Flyers

Record: 21-33-11 (53 points, 7th in Metro)

As has been said before, there isn’t much left for the Flyers to play for at this point in the season. Most of it will be about the growth and development of some of the team’s younger players. One of those is Hayden Hodgson, who was recalled the other night as an emergency call up. A player who hadn’t mostly spent his career in the ECHL, Hodgson has taken the opportunity and run with it.

While he didn’t score in the Flyers’ loss to the Colorado Avalanche, he had plenty of chances throughout the evening. Coming off his first NHL goal in the prior game, Hodgson looks just the part of an NHL player. Yeo confirmed before the game that Hodgson will be the team’s third recall after the deadline so he is here to stay.

Owen Tippett has always played well in his first few games with Philadelphia. Him and Morgan Frost have developed a fair amount of chemistry together as both young players are looking to prove themselves to the organization. Cam York has also been given a bigger role with the departure of Braun and has been up to the challenge.

After missing the team’s last game, Travis Konecny will return to the lineup.

Projected Lineup

van Riemsdyk – Farabee – Atkinson

Hodgson – Hayes – Konecny

Lindblom – Frost – Tippett

Willman – Brown – MacEwen

Provorov – York

Sanheim – Ristolainen

Yandle –Connauton

Jones

Nashville Predators

Record: 37-24-4 (78 points, 4th in Central)

The Predators are in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. With 78 points, they currently hold the top wild card spot in the West. With a win, they could jump into third place in the Central. So getting the two points this evening are crucial for Nashville.

They can look to a player such as Roman Josi to lead the way. He is having a career season for the Predators. He leads the team with 79 points, by far the most points he’s had in the NHL. His 18 goals and 61 assists are career highs as well. Josi is well in the race for the Norris Trophy and has a very strong case to take home the award.

Filip Forsberg, 36 goals, and Matt Duchene, 34 goals, power the Predators high-caliber offense. Forsberg has five goals in his last five games. Duchene has six points in his last five games.

Projected Lineup

Forsberg – Johansen – Duchene

Tolvanen – Granlund – Kunin

Trenin – Sissons – Jeannot

Cousins – McCarron – Tomasino

Josi – Carrier 

Ekholm – Lauzon

Harpur – Tennyson

Saros

When, Where, & How to Watch

Time: 6:00 pm EST

Where: Bridgestone Arena

TV Broadcast: NBCSP+

Radio Broadcast: 97.5 FM

Live Stream: Fubo TV

fuboTV has live NHL games on ESPN in which you can stream from your phone, television, and all your favorite devices. This is a service that broadcasts live TV over the internet, no cable required. Watch your favorite teams, network shows, news, and movies on 100+ channels. Plus on-demand entertainment including full TV series. fuboTV is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Spain.