Flyers Game 72, Young Rivalry; Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs.Blackhawks

The Philadelphia Flyers (28-34-9) head to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Blackhawks (20-41-9) on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago is the loser of seven straight and is 2-6-2 in its last 10 games. The Flyers have lost four straight games despite playing well in their last two. They have gone 1-8-1 in their last 10.

The puck drops at 3:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. CST. at the United Center in Chicago.

Read More: Flyers Report Card: A Lines Shakeup

Projected Lines

Forwards

Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink

Matvei Michkov – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny

Owen Tippett – Ryan Poehling – Jakob Pelletier

Nicolas Deslauriers – Rodrigo Abols – Olle Lycksell

Defensemen

Cam York – Travis Sanheim

Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale

Emil Andrae – Egor Zamula

Goaltender

Sam Ersson

Power Play Units

PP1: Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov – Travis Konecny – Bobby Brink – Jamie Drysdale

PP2:  Sean Couturier – Olle Lycksell – Tyson Foerster – Owen Tippett – Emil Andrae

Penalty Kill Units

PK1: Noah Cates – Travis Konecny – Cam York – Travis Sanheim

PK2:  Ryan Poehling – Nicolas Deslauriers – Nick Seeler – Egor Zamula

Read More: Flyers 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: James Hagens (PhHN+)

A New Young Rivalry?

Sunday’s game will mark the second meeting between a pair of 2023 top-seven draft picks, Connor Bedard and Matvei MIchkov.

Bedard began his career immediately following the draft, while Michkov needed a year to come over. There may not be bad blood between the two phenoms or even their teams (anymore). However, the two young players have the potential to be the next generation’s Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.

Meeting one took place in Philadelphia, where the Flyers eeked out a 3-2 win over the Blackhawks. Michkov drew first blood in the rivalry, scoring a goal in the contest. Bedard was held pointless.

A Check-In on the Flyers’ Sunday Opponent

While things may look bleak in Philly, the Blackhawks may have it worse. Chicago was handed its seventh-straight loss on Saturday before a quick turnaround to take on the Flyers today.

Chicago has done a great job of putting itself in a position to draft generational talent: Bedard two years ago, Artyom Levshunov last year, and will likely earn a top-two selection this season.

The youth movement has started again in Chicago. There are 11 players on their current roster born in the year 2000 or later. In fact, Levshunov was born in 2005… it makes me feel old.

If you want to look more into the Chicago Blackhawks, check out Chicago Hockey Now, run by the great Greg Boysen.

Read More: Flyers Pick Watch: Where Will the Flyers be Drafting?

Can Konecny Keep Going?

Despite the loss in Saturday’s game vs. the Stars, the Flyers finally got some players much-needed points. Matvei Michkov and Tyson Foerster both earned assists in the game. However, Travis Konecny finally got a goal, his first in 13 games, which was the most notable.

The Flyers finally put Konecny on a line that would help bring out his best, pairing him with Michkov, who played the left wing. Captain Sean Couturier centered the line, but I am fairly convinced anyone could play between the two stars, and both would have success.

You would have to imagine that the same line is run again on Sunday. Will Konecny continue to turn things around?

How to Watch Flyers vs. Blackhawks

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

The puck drops at 3:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. CST. at the United Center in Chicago.

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