Gameday 9 Preview: Flyers vs. Canadiens

The Philadelphia Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Heart on Sunday night time to face off towards the Montreal Canadiens, aiming to construct on the momentum from an exciting 7-5 victory over the Minnesota Wild.

After snapping a six-game shedding streak in electrifying style, the Flyers are hungry to make it two wins in a row as they proceed their back-to-back weekend.

Getting The Spark Again

Philadelphia’s win over Minnesota didn’t simply break their shedding streak—it ignited a spark they’ll look to hold ahead. The Flyers have been led by the high-energy line of Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, and rising Russian star Matvei Michkov, who mixed for an eye-popping 12 factors.

Konecny’s relentless forecheck, Couturier’s two-way reliability, and Michkov’s playmaking aptitude appeared to mesh completely, setting the stage for an explosive offensive displaying that the Flyers have been trying to find all season.

Michkov, notably, has began to appear like the dynamic game-changer he was projected to be, making life tough for opposing defenders and dazzling followers together with his puck management and imaginative and prescient. With Konecny and Couturier flanking him, the Flyers might have discovered a prime line with each chemistry and firepower. Holding this trio intact towards Montreal might be essential as they try to duplicate Saturday’s offensive prowess.

Calling In Reinforcements

The Flyers’ again finish will look a bit completely different tonight as Swedish defenseman Emil Andrae steps in following Cam York’s placement on Injured Reserve.

Andrae, who brings a clean skating stride and eager offensive instincts, has proven promise on the AHL degree and now has an opportunity to show himself within the NHL highlight. His mobility and puck-moving talents ought to assist alleviate the lack of York, giving Philadelphia an alternative choice on the blue line to jumpstart transitions and help the assault.

Related: How The Flyers Can Adapt To Cam York Absence

In purpose, Belarusian netminder Alexei Kolosov might see his first NHL motion sooner slightly than later, after being known as up probably in response to Ivan Fedotov’s early-season struggles. Kolosov, recognized for his fast reflexes and aggressive edge, has been creating steadily and will supply some much-needed stability because the Flyers assess their goaltending state of affairs.

Constructing Blocks

Whereas the Flyers’ offense discovered its stride on Saturday, the defensive facet nonetheless wants fine-tuning. The seven-goal outburst towards the Wild was tempered by some pricey lapses that allowed Minnesota to maintain tempo for a lot of the sport.

The defensive corps might want to tighten up round their very own web, particularly since Montreal is coming into the matchup with a younger, speedy roster that thrives on exploiting defensive gaps and creating scoring possibilities off the frenzy. Limiting odd-man rushes and controlling the impartial zone might be pivotal if the Flyers need to neutralize the Canadiens’ assault.

Particular groups additionally stay a degree of emphasis. The Flyers’ energy play lastly clicked towards the Wild, and replicating that success might show precious towards a Montreal penalty kill that has proven vulnerability. On the identical time, the Flyers’ penalty kill might want to keep sharp, as Montreal’s younger stars are expert at producing harmful possibilities.

Projected Traces

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Travis Konecny – Sean Couturier – Matvei Michkov

Owen Tippett – Morgan Frost – Garnet Hathaway

Scott Laughton – Ryan Poehling – Joel Farabee

Nicolas Deslauriers – Noah Cates – Tyson Foerster

Protection:

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen

Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale

Egor Zamula – Erik Johnson

Beginning Goalie:

Aleksei Kolosov

Montreal Canadiens

Forwards:

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Kirby Dach

Josh Anderson – Jake Evans – Brendan Gallagher

Joel Armia – Alex Newhook – Oliver Kapanen

Michael Pezzetta – Christian Dvorak – Emil Heineman

Protection:

Mike Matheson – David Savard

Lane Hutson – Logan Mailloux

Jayden Struble – Arber Xhekaj

Beginning Goalie:

Cayden Primeau