Flyers lines vs. Sabres: Lindblom and Patrick out, Gostisbehere on Taxi Squad

The Philadelphia Flyers have won back-to-back games for the first time this month. In fact, the last time they won back-to-back games was against these Buffalo Sabres on February 27th and 28th. That was also the last time they won three in a row with a win against the New York Rangers on February 24th.

The Flyers will look to escape Buffalo with another win tonight for a three-game winning streak.

Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers waived Shayne Gostisbehere on Tuesday, and the defenseman cleared waivers on Wednesday. He was subsequently sent to the Taxi Squad on Wednesday afternoon.

Philadelphia Flyers lines and pairs vs. Sabres

Flyers forward lines

The Flyers lines could be interesting tonight given the changes to the roster.

Alain Vigneault said that part of the reasoning behind waiving Gostisbehere is to give him the flexibility to give both Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick a rest. Both Lindblom and Patrick were not on the ice on Wednesday and will not return to the ice tomorrow. Vigneault hopes that a game off will give them a rest and a break both mentally and physically for the long-term benefit of the players and the team as a whole.

AV is giving Lindblom and Patrick a few days off for a break, which he thinks will be mentally and physically beneficial for them and the Flyers.

— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) March 31, 2021

The Flyers have their first back-to-back days off on Thursday and Friday since February 25th and 26th. Now is the ideal time to give a break to two players that are returning from different situations.

Connor Bunnaman and Carsen Twarynski will enter the lineup for Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick. Joel Farabee, who was also benched in the third period on Monday night, will remain in the lineup.

The Flyers’ top line should remain together after their strong play in the third period on Monday night, but the other lines are up in the air.

Here are the projected lines for the Flyers tonight. Keep an eye out for updates prior to the game.

Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Jakub Voracek
James van Riemsdyk – Kevin Hayes – Travis Konecny
Joel Farabee – Scott Laughton – Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Michael Raffl – Connor Bunnaman – Carsen Twarynski

Flyers defensive pairs

The Flyers’ defensive pairs are a bit more straightforward. Erik Gustafsson will take Shayne Gostisbehere’s place on the third pair.

Ivan Provorov – Justin Braun
Travis Sanheim – Philippe Myers
Samuel Morin – Erik Gustafsson

Flyers starting goalie

Carter Hart remains as a scratch, leaving Brian Elliott and Alex Lyon as the active goalies tonight.

Brian Elliott
Alex Lyon

The Flyers may be looking to add a goalie if they want to give Carter Hart a longer break.

Flyers Trade Talk: Jonathan Bernier reportedly on radar as Flyers consider goalie options

Carter Hart getting two-game break to ‘work harder’ and ‘work better’ in practice

Photo: Heather Barry Images