Flyers Game 74, New Bench Boss; Lines, Notes, and How to Watch vs. Canadiens

In case it got lost in the news, the Flyers play a game Thursday.

The Philadelphia Flyers (28-36-9) host the Montreal Canadiens (33-28-9) as they return home from a five-game road trip.

While they are still holding on to the final playoff spot, the Canadiens have gone on a three-game losing streak and have gone 4-2-4 in their last 10 games.

The Flyers, now without John Tortorella, have gone 1-8-1 in their previous 10, losing six straight.

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST. at the Wells Fargo Center.

Read More: FIRED: John Tortorella Out in Philly

Projected Lines

Forwards

Matvei Michkov – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny

Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink

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

Flyers’ First Game After Coaching Change

Brad Shaw has been named the Flyers’ interim head coach. This will be his first game as head coach in Philadelphia. It will be the second time in his career that he has been an interim head coach, having done so in 2005/06 with the Islanders.

For the Flyers, it will be their first game since 2022 without John Tortorella behind the bench.

It will be interesting to see how some of the Flyers play Thursday night in light of recent events.

Tortorella surely preached an aggressive, defensive-minded style of play. Maybe some of the more skilled offensive players will show up Thursday night.

Read More: OPINION: Tortorella is Gone After, David Carle Should Be the Next Flyers Coach

Rookie Battle

Two of the top rookies in the NHL will face off Thursday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Lane Hutson (54) now has a three-point lead over Matvei Michkov (51) in points this season. The Canadiens’ rookie defenseman also leads all rookies in on-ice time this season.

Michkov hit a cold spell, but has been playing a lot better lately and has made things interesting again. Maybe he can put on a show tonight against his fellow Calder candidate.

The Canadiens are still trying to improve their playoff hopes. Maybe Hutson turns in another strong performance, which will help his team boost their playoff hopes and also boost his Calder chances.

Read More: Calder Trophy Watch: An Update on Michkov’s Chances

Previous Games

In their last 10 games against Montreal, the Flyers have gone 3-4-3, losing their previous three matchups.

Owen Tippett leads the Flyers in points over that span, scoring nine (6G, 3A) points in eight games against the Canadiens. Travis Sanheim is the next active Flyer on the list with seven points (3G, 4A) in 10 games.

For the Canadiens, Nick Suzuki is their leading scorer in the last 10 games against the Flyers, scoring 11 points (5G, 6A) in 10 games.

How to Watch Flyers vs. Canadiens

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST. at the Wells Fargo Center.

For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit Philly Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.
Follow us on 𝕏:
@wmjsports
@PhillyHockeyNow