Preview: Motown bound

The Game : 7:00 p.m. EST on NBCSports Philadelphia, ESPN+/Hulu, and 93.3 WMMR

Alas, not all good things can last. The Flyers saw their nine game point streak snapped last night with a regulation loss against the Nashville Predators. Today, on the second half of a back-to-back, they head to Detroit to face a floundering Red Wings team.

Before we get into that though: Hey! You! Yes, you , dear reader! Come to the Festivus party tonight at Sports & Social! I\'ll be there, along with a few other BSH staffers, to air some grievances and compete in several feats of strength; which feats depends on the number of beverages consumed. Hope to see you there!

https://twitter.com/BroadStHockey/status/1736406245429395952?s=20

Anyway. Entering tonight\'s game, the Red Wings are on a four-game losing streak, and are 3-6-1 in their last 10. The team started the year hot, carried on the back of a ludicrously (and unsustainably) successful power play. The Wings have come back to Earth a bit--and then have kept sinking. A team that was looking to crack the playoffs for the first time in years is once again falling to the wayside.

Since last week\'s game, the Wings have had two major changes: captain Dylan Larkin is back in the lineup from injury (and so is David Perron after serving his retaliatory suspension), and they\'re on their third- and fourth-string goalies. You may recall that, in the game against the Flyers, former Flyer Alex Lyon left the game early due to injury. In the Red Wings\' very next game, Ville Husso went out with injury. That means 35-year old James Reimer is the de-facto starter, with 33-year old Michael Hutchinson serving as backup. These goaltender injuries give the Flyers an opportunity to get their offense back on track and scoring some goals.

The Flyers have had their own goalie woes, as well. Sam Ersson has started five straight with Carter Hart out due to a prolonged illness, and this is the first back-to-back since that\'s happened; it\'s unlikely Ersson gets the start tonight. Cal Petersen is with the team right now, and Hart has been at practices, so it could end up a gametime decision for who gets the paint, and even who will serve as backup on the bench.

Players to Watch

Bobby Brink

It\'s been a few games since Brink\'s found the scoresheet, but he had an assist in the loss against Nashville. Look for him to continue generating offense and making creative plays to set up his linemates. Him and Joel Farabee continue to show chemistry on the third line, and with Ryan Poehling being the 3C of late, they can really play with some speed and skill.

Scott Laughton

Oh, Scooty Loots. It just hasn\'t been your year. Luckily, 2023 is nearly over, even though I (sentient blog) am still recovering from 2020. A goal would be a wonderful Christmas present for Laughton, so here\'s hoping he nets one tonight against a team he has a pretty good track record against: eight goals and 13 points in 17 games against Detroit.

Alex DeBrincat

DeBrincat has had some time now reunited with Patrick Kane in Detroit, and there\'s a big opportunity for an offensive explosion when those two are together--we\'ve seen it before in Chicago. Watch for DeBrincat\'s lethal shot on the Detroit power play, as well as the setup pass from Kane.

Projected Lineups

Philadelphia Flyers

Tyson Foerster – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny Owen Tippett – Morgan Frost – Cam Atkinson Joel Farabee – Ryan Poehling – Bobby Brink Nic Deslauriers – Scott Laughton – Garnet Hathaway

Cam York – Travis Sanheim Nick Seeler – Sean Walker Marc Staal – Rasmus Ristolainen

(Tentatively) Carter Hart Sam Ersson

Detroit Red Wings

Alex DeBrincat - Dylan Larkin - Patrick Kane Joe Veleno - JT Compher - Lucas Raymond Michael Rasmussen - Andrew Copp - David Perron Robby Fabbri - Christian Fischer - Daniel Sprong

Shayne Gostisbehere - Moritz Seider Ben Chiarot - Jeff Petry Olli Maata - Justin Holl

James Reimer Michael Hutchinson

Gameday Tunes

\'Tis the season, for those who celebrate. In my mind, there is no other Christmas album worth listening to; somehow, these songs capture both the joy and undercurrent of melancholy present during the holidays. Enjoy the break from hockey--the Flyers surely will--and we\'ll be back with previews when the Flyers faceoff against the Canucks next Thursday.

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Y9tu0vssINKFcA90JiLHb?si=4d09327c1aee4558

Stats via Hockey Reference

Talking Points