Flyers vs Lightning, Game 60: Notes, Lineups, and How to Watch
With a two game losing streak in hand, the Flyers return home to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This is the second of three matchups between the two squads. They met a little over a month ago in Philadelphia. Nikita Kucherov torched the Flyers with a hat trick and four points overall. Tampa only let the Flyers get as close as 3-2 and 4-3 before pulling away with the 6-3 victory on Jan. 23. They also scored the first three goals of the game.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers still hold a playoff spot in the Metro. But the gap is quickly closing on them. With a few recent wins, the Washington Capitals have climbed to within four points of Philadelphia. The two will face off this week so points are at a premium for both squads. The Devils and Islanders are still hanging around as they are five points behind the Flyers. Philadelphia can handle its business, but the teams behind them aren't giving in yet.
They will do that without Travis Konecny, Jamie Drysdale, and Rasmus Ristolainen. Konecny will miss his third straight game, giving the impression that it is more than just a minor injury. Drysdale suffered an apparent shoulder injury against the Penguins. There is no immediate update, however, there is a rumor that he will be week-to-week. Ristolainen has been out and was formally moved to IR on Tuesday morning. He has not played since Feb. 10.
Bobby Brink has returned to Philadelphia after a very successful stint in the AHL. The goal was for him to get his confidence back, and he achieved that goal. In 11 games with the Phantoms, Brink had six goals and 11 points. In his final game, he scored twice and helped the team win in overtime. Keeping that confidence at the NHL level will be his next goal. If he can do that, he will earn himself a permanent spot with the Flyers.
With injuries, the Flyers lines are expected to be jumbled up against Tampa. These are based on what was shown in the morning skate and are subject to change. Cam Atkinson was out with skills coach Angelo Ricci, typically signaling a healthy scratch. He has struggled to find his legs and has no points in 11 consecutive games. But would Philadelphia want Nic Deslauriers and Sean Couturier on a line together? And was Tyson Foerster's absence just a precaution? Seems like we won't know for sure until game time.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Joel Farabee - Morgan Frost - Bobby Brink
Noah Cates - Ryan Poehling - Garnet Hathaway
Owen Tippett - Scott Laughton - Tyson Foerster
Nic Deslauriers - Sean Couturier - Olle Lycksell
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Sean Walker
Marc Staal - Egor Zamula
Sam Ersson
Tampa Bay Lightning
It hasn't been a typical season for the Lightning. They have been back and forth, hanging around the playoff picture via a wild card spot. That is not something you usually see from a team that was a powerhouse in the East. Tampa also doesn't have a firm grasp on that playoff spot either. They have won their last two games but have lost three of their last five.
Star players have had their way with the Flyers this season, and Nikita Kucherov is no exception. Though, he has torched every team this season. He leads the Lightning in every offfensive category, including a staggering 102 points. To put that in perspective, the next closest teammate to him is Brayden Point and he has 62 points. Kucherov has a six-point lead on the most points in the league as well.
Tampa still has other players that can light the lamp. Point has 30 goals on the season and has posted eight career goals and 16 points in 16 games versus the Flyers. Steven Stamkos is at 23 goals and has a massive 27 goals and 53 points in 41 career games against Philadelphia. Brandon Hagel is right behind him with 22 goals.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has not been the same type of goaltender this season. He did miss the first few months of the season after back surgery. He has appeared in 34 games this season and has 20 wins. Both his 2.95 GAA and .897 SV% would be the worst of his career if they held the rest of the season. But he has been dominant against the Flyers, posting a 13-3-0 record, 2.29 GAA, and .929 SV%.
Lightning Projected Lineup
Brandon Hagel - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Mikey Eyssimont - Anthony Cirelli - Mitchell Chaffee
Steven Stamkos - Nic Paul - Connor Sheary
Tanner Jeannot - Luke Glendening - Tyler Motte
Victor Hedman - Darren Raddysh
Calvin de Haan - Erik Cernak
Emil Martinsen Lilleberg - Nick Perbix
Andrei Vasilevskiy
When, Where, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Watch: NBCSP
Radio: 93.3 WMMR
Live Stream: FuboTV
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