Flyers Hope to Spoil Pens Playoffs Chances
By Scott Cole
Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins is the first game in the post-Fletcher Era. How the team and the coach will respond is anybody’s guess. One thing is for sure, anytime these two teams get together, it’s going to be a fun time.
Despite the fact that these two teams are no longer the top two teams in the division, there is still no love lost between these teams. This game will be as competitive as always. In the last matchup between these two teams, the Penguins mopped up winning 4-1 in Philly.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 24-30-11 (59 points, 7th in Metro)
The Flyers last two games on this road trip were not very good. Against Tampa, they were super undisciplined. Tony DeAngelo got a two game suspension and the team fell flat. Against Carolina, they failed to score in a 1-0 loss against the Metropolitan Division’s leading team. Felix Sandstrom had one of the best games of his career, considering it is a loss.
The Flyers are still without Travis Konecny, who may be shut down for the year. On the flip side of that, other guys are getting a chance to play. Tyson Foerster debuted in the Carolina game and got off some great shots. Elliot Desnoyers will also get a chance to play today. As the team goes forward, it will give a chance for them to evaluate what their young players can bring to the table.
Likewise, the Flyers will be without Wade Allison and newly acquired Brendan Lemieux.
Flyers projected lineup
Joel Farabee — Morgan Frost — Owen Tippett
Scott Laughton — Noah Cates — Tyson Foerster
James van Riemsdyk — Elliot Desnoyers — Kevin Hayes
Nicolas Deslauriers — Tanner Laczynski — Kieffer Bellows
Ivan Provorov — Cam York
Travis Sanheim — Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler — Justin Braun
Carter Hart
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 32-22-10 (72 points, 5th in Metro)
The Penguins are clinging to dear life for that last playoff spot. They are in eighth place in the East. Florida is one game behind, Ottawa is two games, and Washington and Buffalo are still in relative striking distance.
A big part of the problem for the Pens is that they are where the Flyers were about four or five years ago. They are still clinging to the past, hoping the combo of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin can bring them another Stanley Cup trophy. Considering they will likely face off against Boston or Carolina in the first round, that ain’t happening. But if the Flyers can help keep the Pens out of the playoffs, that will make a win today extra sweet.
Projected Lineup
Jake Guentzel — Sidney Crosby — Rickard Rakell
Jason Zucker — Evgeni Malkin — Bryan Rust
Drew O’Connor — Mikael Granlund — Jeff Carter
Danton Heinen — Nick Bonino — Josh Archibald
Marcus Pettersson — Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin — Jeff Petry
Dmitry Kulikov — Jan Rutta
Casey DeSmith
Where, When, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 3:30 PM
Where: PPG Paints Arena
Watch: ABC, ESPN+
Radio: 97.5 FM
Live Stream: FuboTV
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