Flyers Game

Flyers Game 42: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Maple Leafs

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

The Philadelphia Flyers (22-12-7) continue their homestand on Thursday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs (20-15-7) at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Philadelphia is coming into Thursday’s matchup after a thrilling 5-2 win vs. the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. It was the Flyers’ second-straight win, making them 3-2-0 in their last five game.

Toronto has been much, much better lately, as Craig Berube’s team has picked up a point in its last seven games. They are 3-0-2 in their last five.

Will the Flyers make it three-straight wins, or will the Leafs continue their success? Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Here is how the Flyers are expected to line up.

Flyers lines & pairs vs. Maple Leafs

Forwards

Trevor Zegras–Christian Dvorak–Travis Konecny
Denver Barkey–Sean Couturier–Owen Tippett
Matvei Michkov–Noah Cates–Carl Grundstrom
Nikita Grebenkin–Rodrigo Abols–Garnet Hathaway

Defensemen

Cam York–Travis Sanheim
Emil Andrae-Noah Juulsen
Nick Seeler-Ramsus Ristolainen

Goaltenders

Dan Vladar
Sam Ersson

Special Teams
PP1: Ristolainen, Dvorak, Konecny, Barkey, Zegras
PP2: York, Cates, Tippett, Grundstrom, Michkov

PK1: Couturier, Konecny, York, Sanheim
PK 2: Abols, Grundstrom, Seeler, Ristolainen

Things to watch

Long time Flyer and former alternate captain Scott Laughton will play in South Philadelphia for the first time against the Flyers. It will certainly be weird seeing him play against his former teammates.

The Maple Leafs have been surging lately. Sticking to that same five game window as talked about earlier, Auston Matthews has six goals in that span. The Leafs’ biggest start is turning things around this season, and has been on a heater.

On the flip side, the Flyers have looked excellent in their last three games. Trevor Zegras made a huge impact in the team’s last game. Can he build off his performance vs. the Ducks?

Matvei Michkov is expected to draw back into the lineup after missing the last game due to a foot injury. It seemed more precautionary than anything. Michkov looks good to go at Wednesday’s practice, so look for him to make a difference on Thursday.

I don’t expect Bobby Brink or Jamie Drysdale to draw in on Thursday after leaving Tuesday’s game with injury. No update was given on Wednesday, but it did not seem like either player will play on Thursday. An update will be provided when given.