The Flyers will hit the official second half of the season when they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
Through 41 games, Philadelphia has taken a step back from where they were at this time last season. They are playing hard and keeping up with some of the league's best. But have failed to get the results they've been hoping for.
The Stars pose another tough threat as one of the best teams in the Central Division. Their 51 points are 12 more than the Flyers current total.
Philadelphia Flyers
Before getting the game underway, the Flyers will be honoring their late and great founder, Ed Snider, on what would've been his 92nd birthday. The organization will be paying homage to his life and legacy, while also highlighting the great things the Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education program has done for the surrounding area. Familiar faces will be in the building as trustees Wayne Simmonds, Kimmo Timonen, and Paul Holmgren will take part in the ceremonial puck drop.
The Flyers will still have a game to play and need to continue trusting the process they are on despite the lack of results. The two games against the Leafs showed the team's ability to keep up with a top team. But it also highlights the lack of an impact finisher. Toronto's stars were able to make one more play than Philadelphia to come away with a win in both games.
The Flyers will get back their number one goaltender Sam Ersson after he missed time with a lower-body injury. Easing him back in won't be easy with some of the talent the Stars possess. However, Philadelphia needs to make sure that they keep their mistakes to a minimum and not force Ersson to have to save them the game.
Flyers Projected Roster
Owen Tippett - Ryan Poehling - Travis Konecny
Scott Laughton - Morgan Frost - Matvei Michkov
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Joel Farabee - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Sam Ersson
Dallas Stars
The Stars come in hot, having won five straight and have earned at least a point in seven straight games. They are coming off a tight 5-4 overtime win against the Rangers. New York stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first period before Dallas answered with three of their own, two coming in the first period. Jamie Benn would win it for the Stars with their second power-play goal.
The Stars have a plethora of players contributing for them this season. Roope Hintz leads the team with 18 goals, but five other players have at least double-digit goals. Matt Duchene has 38 points in lead the Stars with Jason Robertson behind him at 32. Robertson has played well against the Flyers in his limited sample size, posting three goals and seven points in six games.
Casey DeSmith is expecting to get the start in net for Dallas. Playing time has come at a premium behind Jake Oettinger as DeSmith has appeared in 11 games. He has won his last two starts, giving up two goals in each. On the season, he has a 2.37 GAA and a .911 SV%. Not bad numbers for a backup.
Stars Projected Roster
Jason Robertson - Roope Hintz - Evgenii Dadonov
Jamie Benn - Matt Duchene - Wyatt Johnston
Sam Steel - Mavrik Bourque - Logan Stankoven
Oskar Back - Arttu Hyry - Colin Blackwell
Miro Heiskanen - Ilya Lyubushkin
Esa Lindell - Nils Lundkvist
Thomas Harley - Matt Dumba
Casey DeSmith
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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