Flyers Game 1, Season Opener: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Panthers

The long offseason is finally over; The Philadelphia Flyers play a meaningful hockey game on Thursday.

Philadelphia will take on the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers are 1-0 while the Flyers, of course, have yet to play a game.

Thursday’s action will be the first time that we see players like Christian Dvorak, Trevor Zegras, and Noah Juulsen in a Flyers uniform for a meaningful game. Preseason stats do not count, so look for a lot of firsts in the coming games.

Let’s take a look at how the Flyers are projected to line up for Game 1.

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Projected Lines

Forwards
Christian Dvorak – Sean Couturier – Matvei Michkov
Owen Tippett – Trevor Zegras – Travis Konecny
Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Nic Deslauriers – Rodrigo Abols – Garnet Hathaway

Defensemen
Nick Seeler – Travis Sanheim
Adam Ginning – Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula – Noah Juulsen

Goaltenders
Sam Ersson
Dan Vladar

*UPDATE: Dan Vladar gets the start in goal*

Special Teams
PP1: Drysdale, Zegras, Michkov, Tippett, Konecny
PP2: Sanheim, Cates, Couturier, Foerster, Brink

PK1: Dvorak, Hathaway, Seeler, Sanheim
PK 2: Couturier, Konecny, Ginning, Juulsen

Read More: What Preseason Taught Us About the Flyers

Storylines to Watch in Flyers Season Opener

There are a few things to keep an eye on in the season opener. The first of which is Trevor Zegras making his Flyers regular-season debut.

Zegras was easily the team’s most notable acquisition in the offseason. He addressed a significant area of need, and does so with high-end skill and IQ. For a while, Zegras looked to be one of the best and brightest young stars in the game. Injuries derailed that path, and now Zegras will look to get back on track with his new club.

Christian Dvorak is also making his Flyers’ regular-season debut. Dvorak inked a one-year deal with the Flyers this offseason and proved his impact as a versatile, responsible player this preseason. Head coach Rick Tocchet said he wanted to get him more time than just the 4C role. So, he is likely to have him penciled in as the top LW, playing with captain Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov.

We will see a Flyers debut from one of their two new defensemen as well, and I expect it to be Noah Juulsen.

The Flyers need help at the blueline. Now is the time for someone to step up. Can it be Juulsen?

The Rick Tocchet era in Philadelphia officially gets underway Thursday night.

Previous Matchups

In their previous 10 matchups against the Panthers, the Flyers are 5-4-1. Last season, Philadelphia went 1-1-1 against the Panthers, with each of their losses being close and their win being a thrilling comeback.

Matvei Michkov led the Flyers in points against the Panthers last season with four, all being assists. Garnet Hathaway led the team in goals vs. Florida last season with three.

Sam Reinhart led the Panthers in both goals (3) and points (6) against Philly last season. The Panthers will be without Matthew Tkachuk, who tied Reinhart for points against the Flyers last season.

How To Watch @ Panthers

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+ (Out of Market)
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST at Amerant Bank Arena.

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