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Flyers vs. Islanders: Projected lines, pairs, and what to watch for

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Ryan Ellis Philadelphia Flyers urier, Philadelphia Flyers

Hockey is back on Broad Street! The Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Islanders in their preseason opener Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. It’s the first chance for the new-look Flyers to take the ice against another team. The new Flyers lines and pairs will get a chance to test their chemistry.

The Flyers are going with a mixed lineup for their first preseason game. They’re expected to dress two of their top three lines, and two of their three defensive pairs.

Flyers projected lineup

Flyers forward lines

Here are the projected Flyers lines for tonight’s game against the Islanders:

Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny
Oskar Lindblom – Derick Brassard – Cam Atkinson
Isaac Ratcliffe – Connor Bunnaman – Tyson Foerster
Max Willman – German Rubtsov – Maksim Sushko

The trio of Giroux, Couturier, and Konecny is currently slated as the Flyers’ top line. They had success together two seasons ago and are looking to find that again.

Tonight’s second line of Lindblom, Brassard, and Atkinson is expected to be the Flyers’ third line. Brassard and Atkinson go back to their days in Columbus, and Lindblom is looking as strong as ever.

Flyers hope to build chemistry in preseason opener against Islanders

The rest of the lineup is rounded out with mostly AHL players. Connor Bunnaman may get some NHL games this season, but the Flyers’ center depth is fine even with Kevin Hayes injured. Tyson Foerster is the prospect to watch. He’s turning heads in training camp.

The Flyers regulars missing from the forward group are the projected second line of James van Riemsdyk, Morgan Frost, and Joel Farabee, as well as the fourth line of Scott Laughton, Nate Thompson, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

Flyers defense pairs

Ivan Provorov – Ryan Ellis
Keith Yandle – Justin Braun
Nick Seeler – Egor Zamula

Ryan Ellis will make his Flyers debut tonight on the top pair with Ivan Provorov. That duo is expected to lock things down on defense for the Flyers.

It’ll be Keith Yandle’s first game in Orange and Black as well. He’ll be on the second pair tonight with Justin Braun. The two are slated to be the Flyers’ third pair on opening night.

Nick Seeler was a depth signing and will likely spend most of the season in the AHL. Egor Zamula could be in the mix as a call-up if the Flyers have any injuries on the back end.

Flyers goalie

Carter Hart
Samuel Ersson

Carter Hart will take the Wells Fargo Center ice for the first time since April 11th, when he allowed four goals in a loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He’s ready for a clean slate and will play the first two periods tonight.

Flyers prospect Samuel Ersson is expected to play the third period.


Islanders lineup notes

Here are a few Islanders lineup notes from our friends over at NYI Hockey Now.

Adam Pelech, Noah Dobson, Oliver Wahlstrom, Anthony Beauvillier, and Kyle Palmieri are among the Islanders regulars playing tonight. Cory Schnieder will get some time in net. They’re all making their preseason debut this year.

The Islanders played on Sunday against the Rangers, a 4-0 victory for the Isles. Aatu Raty, Ross Johnston, Richard Panik, and Robin Salo are expected to play in their second preseason game tonight.


Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET between the Flyers and Islanders. Hockey is back!


Photo: Heather Barry Images

Follow @RGilbertSOP and @PhillyHockeyNow for game updates and more!

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Ryan is a proud graduate of Monmouth University. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers for the better part of a decade at various outlets, including Sons of Penn and Broad Street Hockey. Ryan has also worked for NHL.com and NBC Sports Regional Networks. Whether it's a GIF, quick stat, analysis, or long-form column, he's got you covered.

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