Losing five of their last six games, the Flyers are desperate for a win and will be looking for one as they host the Anaheim Ducks.
For many reasons, this game is expected to have some energy to it. Philadelphia needs to find a way to break out of their losing streak and should have a building full of raucous fans. This game marks the first that Cutter Gauthier will play in the building of the team that drafted him.
“I’m anticipating probably a lot of boos, for sure,. They’re probably not the happiest fans with me..." Gauthier said in an exclusive interview with The Athletic's Kevin Kurz.
The Flyers will try to not let those boos turn to them.
Philadelphia Flyers
It wasn't long ago that the Flyers beat the Ducks in one of their most complete games of the season. Sam Ersson allowed just one goal while Noah Cates scored his fifth straight. It has been mostly bad since then. The only other win the Flyers have in their last seven games was the 4-0 win over the Sharks. They've been outscored 20-11 in their last five losses.
With that comes changes as Joel Farabee will sit for the first time in a long time. His 216-game streak was the longest active streak on Philadelphia's roster. But this isn't necessarily because Farabee has been horrible. John Tortorella stressed that he knows the young forward cares and is looking at this as more of a reset.
That move brings Olle Lycksell, who has been with the team since their return from holiday break, back into the lineup. The Phantoms' All-Star is still looking to become a permanent part of this Flyers' roster. He has appeared in one other game where his goal was called back due to an offside challenge. This is another chance for him to show he belongs at this level.
Flyers Projected Roster
Owen Tippett - Morgan Frost - Travis Konecny
Scott Laughton - Ryan Poehling - Matvei Michkov
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Olle Lycksell - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Sam Ersson
Anaheim Ducks
Since facing the Flyers, the Ducks have won four of their last seven games. However, they are coming off an embarrassing 6-2 loss to the Blues. They allowed four goals in the first period as Lukas Dostal was pulled in the second period. John Gibson stopped all 12 shots he faced, but the damage was already done. They'll have a sour taste in their mouth and will want to come out with a much better start.
Troy Terry is the one to look out for on the Ducks. His 14 goals and 33 points lead the team. Counting the game against the Flyers, Terry has five goals and eight points in six games. The only game he failed to register a point in was the 3-2 loss to Edmonton. He won’t be in the lineup, however, as he and his wife welcomed their second child. Ryan Strome is off to a solid year points-wise. His 24 points in on pace to break the 41 he has posted in back-to-back seasons. His seven goals also have him close to a new high with the Ducks.
It's tough to say who might be in the net for Anaheim. While Dostal was pulled in his last start, Gibson had started the previous two games before coming into action against the Blues. They could go back to Dostal as he'd had more good games than bad. The six he gave up to St. Louis was the most he's allowed all season. But Gibson has performed well this season too.
Ducks Projected Roster
Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Sam Colangelo
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Robby Fabbri
Isac Lundestrom - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Nikita Nesterenko - Jansen Harkins - Brett Leason
Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Brian Dumoulin - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson
John Gibson
When, Where, and How to Watch
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Watch: NBCSP
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: FuboTv
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