Flyers Preview: Philadelphia Hopes to Avoid Series Sweep in the Motor City

Following the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, the Philadelphia Flyers will head to the Motor City, taking on the Detroit Red Wings.

Last time out, Owen Tippett made his Flyers debut. Noticeable throughout the contest, he gelled with Kevin Hayes on the powerplay and had a few positive moments with Morgan Frost. Hayes scored both goals for Philadelphia, who defeated the New York Islanders, 2-1.

The Red Wings have already secured the season series versus the Flyers. Philadelphia hopes to avoid the season sweep.

Detroit Red Wings (25-30-7; 57pts)

Robby Fabbri (ACL,) Carter Rowney (undisclosed,) Mitchell Stephens (lower body,) Danny DeKeyser (undisclosed,) and Jake Walman (healthy scratch) will not be in the lineup tonight. Olli Juolevi, who signed off waivers on March 6th, ices on the second pair with Filip Hronek.

Here’s the projected lineup for the Detroit Red Wings:

Bertuzzi-Larkin-Raymond
Vrana-Suter-Zadina
Erne-Veleno-Gagner
Smith-Rasmussen-Sundqvist

Oesterle-Seider
Juolevi-Hronek
Staal-Lindstrom

Nedeljkovic
(Greiss)

Lucas Raymond (19G, 28A) was the strongest skater on the ice for the Red Wings in their loss to the Seattle Kraken. He notched a powerplay point, registering the secondary assist on a goal by Taro Hirose. Raymond slipped the puck to Bertuzzi at the low post before Hirose scored in front of the crease. That particular setup on offense has eaten the Philadelphia Flyers penalty kill alive.

Alex Nedeljkovic (16-19-6, 3.15GAA, 90.4%SV) is the probable starter. He’s already secured a victory against the Flyers in Philadelphia. In his career, Nedeljkovic is 1-1-0 with a 3.5GAA and 87.5% save percentage versus the Orange and Black.

A Philadelphia Fly-By

Scott Laughton (concussion,) Sean Couturier (back,) Nate Thompson (shoulder,) and Ryan Ellis (lower body) will not be in the lineup tonight. Patrick Brown gets promoted to the third line after Derick Brassard went to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2023 fourth-round pick.

Here’s the projected lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:

van Riemsdyk-Hayes-Atkinson
Farabee-Frost-Konecny
Lindblom-Brown-Tippett
Willman-Connauton-MacEwen

Provorov-York
Sanheim-Ristolainen
Yandle-Seeler

Hart
(Jones)

James van Riemsdyk (14G, 11A) could go streaking anytime. Watching the Flyers powerplay against the New York Islanders was refreshing. A handful of players were buzzing on special teams, including Hayes, Frost, Tippett, and Cam York. An injection of new energy already helped Hayes light the lamp, and tonight could be van Riemsdyk’s turn.

Carter Hart (13-19-7, 2.94GAA, 91.1%SV) is the probable starter. He started in both losses to the Detroit Red Wings this season. In his career, Hart is 4-2-0 with a 2.86GAA and 90.9%SV against the Red Wings.