Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers-Vegas preview: A surprise benching for Philly
The Philadelphia Flyers will start a four-game road trip Friday in Vegas — and there will be a surprising benching for the visiting team.
Defenseman Tony DeAngelo will be a healthy scratch in the 10 p.m. game (NBSSP+), and Cam York will make his season debut. York was recalled Thursday from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
“I’ve been waiting all year for that call from the coaches , so it feels really good,” York said. “I’m happy to be here, and I want to take full advantage of the opportunity.”
Perhaps coach John Tortorella, whose team is coming off Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to Washington, will bench a different defenseman in each game during the road trip, giving York a chance to show his stuff.
DeAngelo has points in four straight games. But he has not been a “plus” player in a game since Oct. 29. Overall, he is minus-13.
York, 21, was asked what he was able to work on with the Phantoms.
“A little bit of everything,” he said. “Defensively, trying to close out guys quicker. and be a little harder defensively. That was kind of my main focus, and I feel offensively, it kind of comes more naturally for me, so I worked hard on the D-zone and I got the call.”
Carter Hart will make his sixth consecutive start for the Philadelphia Flyers ( 9-13-5). Vegas (19-8-1) is coming off Wednesday’s 5-1 road loss to the New York Rangers.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy expects a feisty matchup Friday.
“We have to make them earn their chances,” he said. “Let’s not feed into their offensive game and get them going. A good test for us. It will be a physical game.”
Breakaways
The Flyers have scored at least one power-play goal in three straight games. The Knights are just 25th in the NHL on the PK, killing 73.3 percent. … Jack Eichel paces Vegas with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists), but he will be a game-time decision because of a lower-body injury. He has missed the last two games. … The Golden Knights are just 7-6 at home. … Logan Thompson (13-6, 2.68, .918) has been the Knights’ top goaltender.
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We shall see but I think D’Angelo should play against Vegas since they’re a very aggressive team with Eichel_and Stone.
York should play against the Coyotes since he’s supposed to be a power play specialist and the Coyotes take a ton of penalties.