Flyers Face Red Wings in Post-Deadline Matchup
By Scott Cole
Today is the first game since the events <cough cough> of the recent trade deadline for the Flyers. The Detroit Red Wings are coming to town. This will be the first game of the rest of the season for both teams. Philly and Motown are not making the playoffs this year, so it should be a time for youth callups and plans for next season and beyond.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 23-28-11 (57 points, 7th in Metro)
The Flyers failed to make any significant moves on Friday’s trade deadline; settling for a pair of minor moves. So, James van Riemsdyk, Justin Braun, Kevin Hayes, and everyone else that was speculated to be on the move are still here.
However, this may have an upside to it. I realize I’m grabbing at straws here. But since the All-Star game, this team’s energy has been sapped. Players say that they “don’t pay attention” to trade rumors and such all the time. However, we have seen time and time again that that is simply not the case. Many times that sort of pressure can affect the quality of play of a player. They can get sad, moody, emotional, depressed, and temperamental just like the rest of us.
It is possible that some of the players on the Flyers, with the pressures of knowing they will not be traded, may play better. While we won’t make the playoffs, it might be fun to see out boys spoil the chances of the bubble teams.
This game will be the debut of Brendan Lemieux as a Flyer. It will also be the first game back for Tanner Laczynski since being activated from IR.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Joel Farabee — Morgan Frost — Owen Tippett
James van Riemsdyk — Kevin Hayes — Wade Allison
Scott Laughton — Noah Cates — Brendan Lemieux
Nicolas Deslauriers — Tanner Laczynski — Kieffer Bellows
Ivan Provorov — Cam York
Travis Sanheim — Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler — Tony DeAngelo
Carter Hart
Detroit Red Wings
Record: 28-25-9 (69 points, 7th in Atlantic)
The Red Wings aren’t much better than the Flyers. However, they still have a very slim outside chance of making the playoffs. While they are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division and are just one spot above Philly in the Eastern Conference standings, they are only six points away from Pittsburgh for that final playoff spot.
However, their chances were dealt a blow when they traded Tyler Bertuzzi to the Boston Bruins. Much like Philadelphia, they are now playing for a better draft pick.
The last time these two faced off, Noah Cates and Scott Lauhgton secured a victory for the Flyers. That was back when the Flyers were still on their hot streak. Still, let’s see if they can do it again.
Red Wings Projected Lineup
Dominik Kubalik — Dylan Larkin — Lucas Raymond
Robby Fabbri — Andrew Copp — David Perron
Jonatan Berggren — Joe Veleno — Filip Zadina
Adam Erne — Pius Suter — Alex Chiasson
Jake Walman — Moritz Seider
Olli Maatta — Ben Chiarot
Robert Hagg — Jordan Oesterle
Ville Husso
Where, When, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 FM
Live Stream: FuboTV
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