Forget the losing streak number. Without a win today, the Philadelphia Flyers are about to be zero for January.
Losers of thirteen straight games, there are many other problems requiring solutions. Dave Scott and Chuck Fletcher held a State of the Flyers Mid-Season Address earlier this week, which provided insight regarding some issues, but lacked new solutions. An “aggressive retool” lifted the spirits of Philadelphia fans last offseason crashing and burning before our eyes.
Eight losses in this current losing streak, at the least, were competitive. Philadelphia scored more than two goals on four occasions during this thirteen-game skid. The Flyers record shows 4-13-5 when topping at two goals in a game in 2021-2022. Yes, when this season is complete, at least 25% of it will show the times Philadelphia couldn’t produce more than two goals on offense. When the Flyers allow two goals or fewer, they’re 8-1-1.
Los Angeles Kings (22-16-6; 50pts)
Two defensemen remain out for the Kings. Alexander Edler (lower body) doesn’t have a timetable for his return, and Sean Walker (knee) is out for the season.
Here’s the projected lineup for Los Angeles:
Iafallo-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Athanasiou-Byfield-Brown
Lemieux-Lizotte-Kaliyev
Anderson-Doughty
Maatta-Roy
Bjornfot-Durzi
Quick
(Petersen)
Jonathan Quick (11-10-5, 2.53GAA, 91.4%SV) will start versus Philadelphia. He earned the victory at the beginning of the month. Quick could finish the Flyers’ January the same way it started.
Viktor Arvidsson (10G, 15A) was all over Philadelphia the last time these teams faced off. He had a four-point game (2G, 2A.) In seven total games versus the Flyers, Arvidsson has six points. Phillip Danault (10G, 12A) seemed to have his fingerprints on scoring plays with Arvidsson, too. Together, they generated four goals against Philadelphia at the beginning of January.
A Philadelphia Fly-By
The Flyers are without Wade Allison (MCL,) Joel Farabee (upper body,) Kevin Hayes (lower body,) Patrick Brown (MCL,) Derick Brassard (hip,) Sean Couturier (upper body,) Nate Thompson (shoulder,) and Ryan Ellis (lower body.) They’re still the most injured team in the NHL.
Here’s the projected starting lineup for Philadelphia:
Lindblom-Giroux-Atkinson
van Riemsdyk-Laughton-Konecny
Mayhew-Frost-Willman
Ratcliffe-Bunnaman-MacEwen
Provorov-Braun
Sanheim-Ristolainen
Yandle-York
Hart
(Jones)
Carter Hart (7-14-5, 2.87GAA, 91.2%) keeps his team in games. He did it when Alain Vigneault was the head coach and continues under Mike Yeo. However, today will be his first start versus Los Angeles. He did make an appearance after relieving Brian Elliott in 2019-2020. The Kings won that contest, 5-3.
Isaac Ratcliffe is making his NHL debut. He needs to use his big body at 4LW in sync with Zack MacEwen (1G, 2A.) They could be one of the most physical lines on the ice.
“I’ve been given a great opportunity here. Just go out, make sure I take care of the puck at both blue-lines, and do whatever I need to do to help the Flyers win tomorrow.”
Isaac Ratcliffe; 1/28/2022
Prediction
Looking at the full scope, Los Angeles unsurprisingly has a leg up on the Flyers. Offensive production makes the difference, and it heavily favorites Los Angeles. Today could very well complete a winless month for the Flyers.
Kings 4, Flyers 2
(Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)
