Tankathon 2023 is on. While the Chicago Blackhawks are struggling, the Vancouver Canucks are saying “Hold my beer!” They are selling off as many assets as they can. Bo Horvat is already gone and other players could soon follow. The Flyers are on a western road trip and, after dropping a humiliating game to Seattle, now cross the border to face off against Vancouver in “The Game That Somebody Will Win”.
One team is tanking on purpose (Canucks). The other is just playing badly. If there is a game that could shake the Flyers out of their funk, this could and should be it.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 22-24-10 (54 points, 7th in Metro)
The last two games have been downright horrific. Granted, the Kraken are a good team, but the Flyers put forth minimal effort and got minimal results. A team with as much talent as they have, or at least we think they have it, should perform a heck of a lot better.
If there was a bright side to the last game against Seattle, it was Travis Konecny. He finally woke up after a 13 game scoreless streak and scored two goals. If this is where he can get hot again, it could be the wake up call this team needs.
One of the things that this team is missing is the “That Guy” factor. They need that guy that they can hop on their back and ride it to wins. Maybe the last guy who had that was Wayne Simmonds. But if TK can get that, it would further cement his ascent to stardom this year.
The Flyers are going with seven defenders tonight. Kieffer Bellows and Olle Lycksell will not play. Justin Braun will get a chance to hit the ice tonight….maybe to help promote him for a trade. Nick Seeler also continues to hold down a spot in the lineup and could be moved as well.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Kevin Hayes — Noah Cates — Owen Tippett
James van Riemsdyk — Morgan Frost — Travis Konecny
Joel Farabee — Scott Laughton — Wade Allison
Nicolas Deslauriers — Patrick Brown
Ivan Provorov — Cam York
Travis Sanheim — Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler — Tony DeAngelo
Justin Braun
Carter Hart
Vancouver Canucks
Record: 21-31-4 (46 points, 6th in Pacific)
While the Flyers aren’t playing well, there are some glimmers of hope. But for poor Vancouver fans, they are seeing a team self destruct. A team that was built of some very good young talent a few years ago is coming apart at the seems. Horvat is already gone. Brock Boeser and former Flyer Luke Schenn are rumored to be going soon as well.
The Canucks do have some talent still, but have often been a mess defensively. And speaking of defensively, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who’s had a rough season, has an ankle injury and will be out for a few weeks. It’s not what new coach, and former Flyer Rick Tocchet needed.
Canucks Projected Lineup
Andrei Kuzmenko — Elias Pettersson — Anthony Beauvillier
Phillip Di Giuseppe — J.T. Miller — Brock Boeser
Vasily Podkolzin — Jack Studnicka — Conor Garland
Dakota Joshua — Nils Aman — Sheldon Dries
Quinn Hughes — Ethan Bear
Christian Wolanin — Luke Schenn
Riley Stillman — Tyler Myers
Arturs Silovs
Where, When, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 10:00 PM
Where: Rogers Arena
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+
Radio: 97.5 FM
Live Stream: FuboTV
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.