Flyers-Lightning Preview: Stuck in the Storm

The trade deadline can be viewed as a sign of progress for the Flyers, another step in their rebuild setting the stage for the offseason. On the ice, it means more struggles down the stretch of another disappointing season.

That has been on full display in a five-game losing streak to start a seven-game homestand. It gets no easier on Thursday night, as the Flyers take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Travis Konecny has assists in the last two games, but has struggled to score goals. He has gone nine straight games without a goal and has just two goals in his last 25 games.

Jake Guentzel enters Thursday with five goals in his last four games. Those five goals are the only goals Guentzel has scored in the last 11 games. He also has six assists in that time.

Sam Ersson gets the start for the Flyers. Ersson made 28 saves on 32 shots in his last start against Seattle on Saturday, taking the loss for the third straight start.

Jonas Johansson will start for the Lightning. Johansson made 31 saves on 33 shots in a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 4 in his last start. This is Johansson's second start since Jan. 28.

Projected Lineups

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Rasmus Ristolainen is "banged up" and will be out for Thursday's game. Egor Zamula comes back into the lineup.
Lightning: Nikita Kucherov is a game-time decision due to illness. He missed the third period of Tampa's last game.