This has been a disappointing week for the Philadelphia Flyers. The team is 0-1-2. They led in both overtime games and, after falling into a 3-0 hole, tied it up before losing 5-3 on Sunday…to the Winnipeg Jets, the team the Flyers are facing on Saturday. Will the familiarity with what the Jets will throw at them give them an advantage?
This is the last game the Flyers will play before the All-Star break. They will have a little over a week before they play again. The team can get healthy and rest while Kevin Hayes represents us at the All-Star Game. How will the Flyers respond in their final game of the first half?
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 20-21-9 (49 points, 7th in Metro)
Earlier, I stated that the rest of this month will show what the Flyers have. And while they have been winless all week, the team showed some resilience that is positive. They rebounded after an ugly first period against Winnipeg on Sunday. They got two points from overtime losses. Granted, OT points suck, but it is better than no points. But their confidence has to have grown even a little bit this week. They have faced off against playoff teams and shown that they will not be walked over or an easy loss.
Likewise, there is an opportunity brewing. If you look at the teams in front of the Flyers in the Eastern Conference, things are turning in our favor. The Islanders have been dealing with a lot of injuries and are struggling. The Red Wings, Panthers, and Capitals are barely above .500 in their last 10 games. the Sabres and Penguins, likewise, have experienced some troubles lately. These are all things that the Flyers can capitalize on.
They are eight points away from the last playoff spot. That’s a long way to climb back from, but not impossible. They can still make it, but it will take work. Rest will help out a lot. A win or even an OT point in tonight’s game is a step in the right direction.
After this, the team can take a step back and decide what it wants to be. Do they want to make a run at the playoffs and possibly boost what this team can be next year? Or, will they cash it in, sell off assets, and give up; maybe make a run at that top lottery pick?
Flyers Projected Lineup
James van Riemsdyk — Morgan Frost — Owen Tippett
Joel Farabee — Noah Cates — Travis Konecny
Kevin Hayes — Scott Laughton — Wade Allison
Nicolas Deslauriers — Patrick Brown — Zack MacEwen
Ivan Provorov — Cam York
Travis Sanheim — Tony DeAngelo
Nick Seeler — Rasmus Ristolainen
Carter Hart
Winnipeg Jets
Record: 31-18-1 (63 points, 2nd in Central)
When the Jets topped the Flyers earlier this week, it wasn’t unexpected. The fact that the Jets scored three quick goals to start the game was also not a surprise as they are a fast-paced team that is worthy of their name. What was surprising was that a team that is sixth best in goals against allowed a team that was down 3-0 to come back and tie the game. The Jets are 5-5 in their last 10 games and very nearly let the Flyers steal one from them.
And after dropping their last two games to Nashville and Buffalo, the Flyers have an opportunity to pounce on the Jets. Get after them early, don’t let them get a comfy lead, and don’t take your foot off the throttle. If the Flyers can steal a win against Winnipeg, that would be a great way to end the first half of the season.
Jets Projected Lineup
Kyle Connor — Pierre-Luc Dubois — Cole Perfetti
Nikolaj Ehlers — Mark Scheifele — Blake Wheeler
Morgan Barron — Adam Lowry — Karson Kuhlman
Axel Jonsson-Fjallby — Kevin Stenlund — Saku Maenalanen
Josh Morrissey — Dylan DeMelo
Brenden Dillon — Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley — Nate Schmidt
Connor Hellebuyck
Where, When, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 7 PM
Where: Canada Life Centre
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+
Radio: 97.5 FM
Live Stream: FuboTV
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