The Game: 7:00 p.m. EDT on NBC Sports Philadelphia and 97.5 The Fanatic
After a lackluster 30 minutes to start the 4-1 loss to Montreal on Thursday night, the Flyers ended up once again in the good graces of the scoreboard watching gods. The Capitals lost to Toronto while Detroit lost to Carolina, so essentially another game wiped off the grid with everything in the standings staying status quo. It’s important the Flyers keep that sour taste in their mouths heading into tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Another late start can’t happen against one of the league’s worst (21-47-5) even with Chicago led by Calder Trophy nominee Connor Bedard and very little else.
The Flyers need to look at this game as a must given they only have seven games left and a possible 14 points left to add to their current 82. With injuries mounting on bodies but the lineup still in tact most of the last few weeks, Philadelphia need maximum effort from all forwards and defensemen to ensure they stay ahead or gain a bit of wiggle room against Washington and Detroit. If they learned anything from the Montreal contest, it’s that Chicago aren’t waving the white towel at the opening faceoff.
Players to watch
Connor Bedard
Bedard has lived up to his reputation but is going to need a bevy of help if he’s to take Chicago into contention in a few years’ time. The 18-year-old forward has 21 goals and 35 helpers for 56 points in 59 games (thanks hockeydb). His +/- is the polar opposite of his last junior year with the Regina Pats (+39 with Regina, -39 with Chicago) but he can still cause havoc for opponents.
Bedard played one game against the Flyers on Feb. 21 where he was held off the scoresheet but managed three shots on goal. The Flyers should focus on limiting Bedard’s chances as much as possible given how few weapons they have offensively.
Morgan Frost
What a difference a season makes. Months ago there was speculation Morgan Frost wouldn’t be in the mix when it came to the Flyers future and the rebuild. A meeting with coach John Tortorella would be the fresh start Frost wanted for himself and Tortorella wanted for the forward. Since then he’s come alive with his smart play-making ability and knack for simply driving up-ice on a routinely consistent basis.
Following the gaunlet of tough games against Boston, Toronto, Florida and the Rangers, Frost needs to keep his game going if the Flyers are to avoid missing the playoffs. While he still might not quite but the catalyst the way Travis Konecny or Owen Tippett has been from time to time this season, Frost may have to lead by example and take some of the team on his back in their chase to the post-season.
Ivan Fedotov
There’s a small chance Fedotov would get the start against Chicago after a whirlwind week. But just seeing the huge figure sitting on the bench wearing #82 would be a huge lift for the Flyers. From seeing his contract with CKSA terminated a year earlier than planned to a Friday press conference with Flyers general manager Danny Briere welcoming him to the Flyers, it’s been a dream come true for Fedotov.
The lift with the addition of a quality (hopefully) backup to Sam Errson should make this stretch of games and getting into the playoffs a wee bit easier. It should take a bit of the mental pressure Ersson’s had since February off temporarily. It should also give the team a much needed boost knowing they have a towering goalie to get them over the hump. To go from military service in remote Russia two years ago to being in the National Hockey League is something nobody predicted would happen.
Projected lineups
Philadelphia Flyers
Owen Tippett — Morgan Frost — Travis Konecny
Joel Farabee — Scott Laughton — Bobby Brink
Tyson Foerster — Ryan Poehling — Garnet Hathaway
Noah Cates — Sean Couturier — Denis Gurianov
Cam York — Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler — Erik Johnson
Egor Zamula — Adam Ginning
Sam Ersson
(Ivan Fedotov)
Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Donato — Connor Bedard — Philipp Kurashev
Nick Foligno — Tyler Johnson — Taylor Raddysh
MacKenzie Entwistle — Andreas Athanasiou — Lukas Reichel
Landon Slaggert — Jason Dickinson — Joey Anderson
Alex Vlasic — Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski — Jaycob Megna
Wyatt Kaiser — Jarred Tinordi
Arvid Soderblom
(Petr Mrazek)
Gameday Tunes
Please start on time, you don’t want your fan base feeling like….
