Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Game 57, Cross-State Rivals; Lines, Notes, and How to Watch vs. Penguins
The Philadelphia Flyers (23-26-7) host the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins (23-24-9) Saturday night in their last game ahead of the Four Nations break.
The Flyers are on a five-game losing streak and are 3-6-1 in their last ten games. The Penguins have won three of their previous four games and are 5-4-1 in their last ten matchups.
The puck drops at 7 P.M. EST. at the Wells Fargo Center.
Projected Lines
Forwards
Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Andrei Kuzmenko – Scott Laughton – Travis Konecny
Rodrigo Abols – Sean Couturier – Matvei Michkov
Nicolas Deslauriers – Jacob Gaucher – Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Emil Andrae – Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale
Goaltender
Power Play Units
PP1: Travis Koncney – Matvei Michkov – Bobby Brink – Scott Laughton– Jamie Drysdale
PP2: Rodrigo Abols – Noah Cates – Tyson Foerster – Sean Couturier – Travis Sanheim
Penalty Kill Units
PK1: Scott Laughton – Travis Konecny – Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
PK2: Noah Cates – Garnet Hathaway – Nick Seeler – Cam York
Kuzmenko’s Flyers Debut
Andrei Kuzmenko will make his Flyers debut on Saturday night. Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier finally arrived in Philadelphia and practiced with the team for the first time on Friday. Kuzmenko will play for the first time in orange and black, but Pelletier remains out of the lineup. According to John Tortorella, Pelletier is still dealing with paperwork issues.
Kuzemenko participated in the rushes during Friday’s practice, playing with Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton. Jakob Pelletier did not; however, Anthony Richard took the fourth-line reps before being waived to be loaned back to Lehigh Friday afternoon.
Jacob Gaucher has been recalled from Lehigh Valley and will play in Pelletier’s place on Saturday.
Kuzmenko has 15 points (4G, 11A) in 35 games this season with the Flames before joining the Flyers. Tortorella also said Rasmus Ristolainen would be a game-time decision.
Go Into the Break on a High Note?
At this point in the season, it is pretty clear the Flyers will not be in the postseason hunt. At the same time, it’s known that the Flyers won’t punt on the season, and John Tortorella certainly will not lead a tank.
That makes this game even more critical. Heading into Saturday’s showdown, the Flyers have lost five straight. With the game vs. Pittsburgh being the last before the extended break, it’s essential to snap the losing skid before you carry it into the break.
Coming out of the break, the Flyers have the Oilers, a home-and-home with Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, and the Flames before the trade deadline. A win on Saturday is crucial in carrying positive momentum out of the break.
Previous Matchup
The Penguins won the first game of the Keystone State series, dominating the Flyers 7-3 right before the holiday break.
The Flyers are 3-6-1 against the Penguins in their last 10 meetings. Scott Laughton leads all Flyers with eight points in nine of the last ten games the Flyers have played against the Penguins. Sidney Crosby, who may be out Saturday, has 16 points over the previous ten games vs. the Flyers.
How to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Puck drop is at 7 P.M. EST. at the Wells Fargo Center.
Bad enough that the writer had Richard in the lineup but when I point out your mistake, you wipe my comment and fix your screw up. Another bush league writer. Bring back Sam!!$
I appreciate you pointing out my mistake. I, like you, am a human being who is imperfect and is bound to make a mistake. It is human nature. I apologize if my mistake offended you.
No offense taken