Flyers vs Predators, Game 32: Notes, Lineups, and How to Watch
- The Flyers have won three straight games and bring a nine-game point streak into Thursday night's matchup.
- Philadelphia has gone 7-0-1 in December, with their only loss coming against this Predators team.
- Roman Josi has seven points in his last five games, six of which have been assists.
The Flyers have moved their point streak to nine games and will look to make it four wins in a row when the Predators visit Philadelphia for the Holiday Spectacular on Thursday night.
This is the second and final time the two will meet this season. They faced off a little over a week ago back in Nashville. It was the only game of the three-game trip that the Flyers did not win. After the Predators sprung out to a 2-0 lead, Philadelphia answered with goals from Sean Couturier and Travis Sanheim. Filip Forsberg didn't need much time in overtime to settle the score. His game-winning goal, almost stopped by Sam Ersson before trickling through, came just 18 seconds in. Juuse Saros was also strong in net for the Predators.
Philadelphia Flyers
Everything the Flyers do right now turns to gold. The team has points in their last nine games and has won three straight games. Owen Tippett, who has come alive lately, earned the team another overtime victory in their previous game. He has three goals in his last five games and has played well on a line with Bobby Brink and Morgan Frost.
Ryan Poehling has drawn the interest of head coach John Tortorella. He has been moved up into the top nine during various parts of the season. And Poehling rewarded his coach with a two-goal effort in the win against the Devils. Both goals mattered as the Flyers were trailing 1-0 and 2-1 at the time. He has shown that he wants to remain in Philadelphia long-term. With the effort he has given the team, it wouldn't be a surprise if they want him to stay as well.
Sam Ersson continues to make the most of his extended time as the Flyers' starter. He will once again take the crease against the Predators. He will most definitely have that overtime loss on his mind. Ersson will look to make it nine straight games with a point for himself. When Philadelphia has needed someone to step up, their goaltender has answered the call.
Tyson Forester - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett - Morgan Frost - Bobby Brink
Joel Farabee - Ryan Poehling - Cam Atkinson
Nicolas Deslauriers - Scott Laughton - Garnet Hathaway
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Sean Walker
Marc Staal - Rasmus Ristolainen
Sam Ersson
Nashville Predators
Since the Flyers last saw this team, the Predators have won two of their last three games. That included a wild 6-5 comeback win against the Hurricanes. Forsberg scored his second consecutive overtime goal at the time. Saros won a career-high six straight games after a 3-1 win over the Capitals. But Nashville's winning ways came to a screeching halt in a 5-2 loss against the Canucks their last time out.
Forsberg continues to lead the team in every offensive category. He has 16 goals and 36 points, recently having a four-game point streak broken. He had six points in those four games. The next closest point-scorer to him is Roman Josi, who has 27 points. Newcomer Ryan O'Reilly is second behind Forsberg in goals (13) and has 26 points.
The Flyers will be tasked with trying to break through Saros once again. Tuesday’s loss to Vancouver was the first time he’s allowed five or more goals in over a month. It was also only the third time this season that he has been pulled.
Predators Projected Lineup
Filip Forsberg - Ryan O'Reilly – Gustav Nyquist
Tommy Novak - Cody Glass – Luke Evangelista
Yakov Trenin - Colton Sissons – Juuso Pärssinen
Cole Smith - Michael McCarron - Philip Tomasino
Ryan McDonagh – Roman Josi
Jeremy Lauzon – Alexandre Carrier
Tyson Barrie - Luke Schenn
Juuse Saros
When, Where, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: FuboTV
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