Flyers-Panthers Preview: Wild Cats for Wildcard
The Flyers have had a couple of days since the bitter ending of Saturday's overtime loss to Carolina to absorb yet another blow in their 2022-23 schedule. Their opponent on Tuesday night played just 24 hours earlier, picked up a win, and finds themselves actively in a playoff spot again.
It is, no doubt, a big game for the Florida Panthers, who are looking for another two points and the possibility of extending their lead for the final wildcard spot as the season enters the final few weeks. Despite the OT loss, Saturday was another game filled with positives for the Flyers, who will look to build on the last two games.
Game time is 7 p.m.
Team Leaders
Philadelphia Flyers | GP | G | A | P | Florida Panthers | GP | G | A | P |
Travis Konecny | 52 | 27 | 27 | 54 | Matthew Tkachuk | 67 | 33 | 62 | 95 |
Kevin Hayes | 68 | 17 | 34 | 51 | Carter Verhaeghe | 69 | 36 | 27 | 63 |
Owen Tippett | 64 | 21 | 18 | 39 | Aleksander Barkov | 56 | 18 | 43 | 61 |
Scott Laughton | 65 | 15 | 22 | 37 | Brandon Montour | 68 | 12 | 46 | 58 |
Tony DeAngelo | 62 | 10 | 26 | 36 | Sam Reinhart | 70 | 26 | 26 | 52 |
Owen Tippett remained hot in the last couple of games with two assists on Saturday to follow up his first career hat trick on Friday, giving him five points in the last two games.
Matthew Tkachuk enters the game on a five-game points streak with elite numbers. Four of his last five games have been performances with three or more points. Tkachuk also has goals in four straight games.
Carter Hart is expected to start for the Flyers. Hart made 36 saves on 38 shots in Friday's win against Buffalo to snap a personal two-game losing streak. Hart was stellar against the Panthers in a win on Oct. 27, making 48 saves on 51 shots.
Alex Lyon is expected to start for Florida. Lyon is currently in the backup role for the Panthers and would be making his first start since Jan. 28, when he made 38 saves on 40 shots in a win over Boston. The former Flyers goalie has just five starts at the NHL level this season.
Projected Lineups
Flyers Scratches: Sean Couturier (injury), Travis Konecny (injury), Justin Braun (healthy), Kieffer Bellows (healthy), Tanner Laczynski (healthy)
Panthers Scratches: Patric Hornqvist (injury), Givani Smith (injury), Casey Fitzgerald (healthy)
Lineup Notes
- Flyers: The Flyers will go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen as they get a look at Egor Zamula, who was called up on Monday. Tanner Laczynski comes out of the lineup.
- Panthers: The Panthers did not have a morning skate after playing on Monday night. There is a chance Sergei Bobrovsky starts in goal on back-to-back nights. Sam Bennett is also questionable after leaving Monday's game in the third period with an injury.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (32nd), Panthers (11th)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (28th), Panthers (27th)
- Recent History vs. Panthers
- Oct. 27, 2022 - Flyers 4, Panthers 3 (at PHI)
- Oct. 19, 2022 - Panthers 4, Flyers 3 (at FLA)
- Flyers Leaders vs. Panthers
- James van Riemsdyk: 36 GP, 12 G, 12 A, 24 P
- Kevin Hayes: 20 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 13 P
- Rasmus Ristolainen: 27 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 P
- Carter Hart: 7 GP, 3-4-0, 3.10 GAA, .913 SV%
- Milestone Watch
- Travis Sanheim needs one assist to reach 100 for his career.
- James van Riemsdyk needs two goals to reach 300 for his career.
Where to Watch
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network
Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN and Flyers editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.