Flyers vs. Blackhawks: How to Watch, Lineups, Keys to the Game

Tuesday was a huge opportunity for the Philadelphia Flyers (34-24-12) to reduce the margin in the playoff race. And they got plenty of help along the way. But while nearly everyone else in the playoff race stumbled, the Flyers fell to Columbus for the second time this month.

One of the teams that provided some help to Flyers comes to town on Thursday night. The Chicago Blackhawks (27-31-13) are fresh off a win over the Islanders on Tuesday, and can continue to play spoiler.

How to Watch

Time: 7 PM
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: Rock 104.1 and the Rock 104.1 Free Mobile App
Streaming: ESPN+

Projected Flyers Lines vs. Blackhawks

Injury & Roster Updates

Lineup Updates: The Flyers did not hold a morning skate. Emil Andrae will come back into the lineup for Noah Juulsen. No other changes are expected from Tuesday's game.
Starting Goalie: Sam Ersson is expected to start for the Flyers. Ersson made 22 saves on 25 shots in a shootout win over the Kings last Thursday. He is 11-10-5 this season with a 3.28 GAA and .864 save percentage. Ersson got the win over Chicago on Dec. 23, making 20 saves on 21 shots.
Injuries
- Nikita Grebenkin: upper-body injury, out 7-to-10 days
- Rodrigo Abols: fractured ankle, out at least two months from Jan. 21
- Tyson Foerster: surgery on right arm on Dec. 17, out five months.

Opponent Snapshot: Chicago Blackhawks

Opponent record: 27-31-13
Special Teams Ranking
- Power Play: 18.1% (22nd)
- Penalty Kill: 84.5% (1st)
Who’s hot?: Connor Bedard. has four goals and 11 points in the last 11 games. Frank Nazar has five goals and 12 points in the last 11 games. Tyler Bertuzzi has three goals and seven points in the last 10 games.
Who’s in net?: Spencer Knight is expected to start for the Blackhawks. Knight made 30 saves on 33 shots in an overtime loss to Nashville on Sunday. Knight allowed two goals on 25 shots in a loss to the Flyers on Dec. 23. He is 18-19-10 with a 2.64 GAA and .909 save percentage this season.
Injuries: Oliver Moore is out with a lower-body injury. Matt Grzelcyk is out for Chicago's current four-game road trip with an upper-body injury. Andrew Mangiapane has not played since March 20 with an undisclosed injury.

Keys to the Game

Still Meaningful: While Tuesday's loss to Columbus felt like the dagger on their playoff hopes, mathematically the Flyers can still remain alive and well with a win and some favorable results again on Thursday night. They have to hold up their end of the bargain.
Avoid the Trap: Chicago is ranked 30th in the league this season, opening the door for a potential trap game for a team with playoff hopes on life support.
High Potential: The future of the Blackhawks is certainly present on its top line. Connor Bedard continues to lead the way and newly-signed Anton Frondell adds another dynamic to the Chicago offense.

By the Numbers

Tuesday night's loss was the first of the season for the Flyers in regulation when leading after the first period. They are 14-1-3 when leading after the first.
The Flyers have an 8-4-1 record against Central Division opponents. The Blackhawks are 4-6-2 against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Both teams are in the bottom 10 in the league in goals for per game. The Flyers are 25th at 2.79 GF/GP, while the Blackhawks are 30th at 2.59 GF/GP.

Quotable

"“It's not like we were going to win out the rest of the year. We lost one game against an opponent that was above us. It's frustrating, but it is what it is. You just regroup." - Travis Konecny following Tuesday's loss to Columbus

X-Factors

Matvei Michkov: Part of the same draft class, this has been an anticipated matchup every time these two teams get together. In December, Michkov was still going through early-season struggles and Bedard was unable to play due to injury. Michkov has started to get back on track following the Olympic break, but was noticeably quiet in Tuesday's game against Columbus.
Connor Bedard: Bedard is certainly back to form this season, posting a career-high 29 goals and already one point shy of his career high of 67 points from last season.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.