Flyers Preview: SONK, but in Minnesota

The Nashville Predators mirrored the Philadelphia Flyers from March 17th, 2022. With 1:19 remaining in regulation, Tanner Jeannot scored the game-winner instead of Joel Farabee. Imitation is usually the sincerest form of flattery. Instead, it was the third time the Flyers lost in the final two minutes of regulation this season.

Everything unraveled in the second period. Philadelphia had a two-goal lead heading into the first intermission. By the end of the second period, they kept up with the Predators, who paced the 5-4 victory.

Tonight, the faceoff drops at 8pm from the Pigs Eye. In the last meeting against the Minnesota Wild, the Flyers fell 5-4.

Minnesota Wild (40-20-4; 84pts)

Out of the lineup (all healthy scratches) for the Minnesota Wild are Nick Bjugstad, Connor Dewar, Alex Goligoski, and Jordie Benn. They’re one of three entirely healthy playoff teams ahead of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Here’s the projected lineup for the Wild:

Kaprizov-Hartman-Zuccarello
Fiala-Gaudreau-Boldy
Greenway-Eriksson Ek-Foligno
Deslauriers-Jost-Duhaime

Brodin-Dumba
Middleton-Spurgeon
Merrill-Kulikov

Fleury
(Talbot)

Two nights ago, Cam Talbot earned a victory against the Colorado Avalanche. He’s also victorious against the Philadelphia Flyers in the aforementioned. Marc-Andre Fleury (20-21-5, 2.93GAA, 90.8%SV) is a familiar foe, formerly with the Chicago Blackhawks. For the second time in 2021-2022, but on a new team, Fleury opposes the Flyers.

Jonas Brodin (52%CF, 100BLK, 22TK, +6) gets the opposing spotlight. He scored the game-winner against Philadelphia earlier this season. Brodin is a lot better in even-strength scenarios. If the Flyers hope to cancel out his impact, they need to be the more disciplined team. It is a philosophy that allowed them to compete closely with Minnesota.

Philadelphia Flyers (21-34-11; 53pts)

Scott Laughton (concussion,) Nate Thompson (shoulder,) and Carter Ha rt (undisclosed.) remain out of the lineup. Kevin Connauton will replace Nick Seeler next to Keith Yandle on the third pair.

Here’s the projected lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:

van Riemsdyk-Farabee-Atkinson
Lindblom-Hayes-Konecny
Cates, N-Frost-Tippett
Hodgson-Brown-MacEwen

Provorov-York
Sanheim-Ristolainen
Yandle-Connauton

Jones
(Sandstrom)

Martin Jones (8-13-3, 3.38GAA, 90.1%SV) starts between the pipes. He’s 10-9-2 in his career versus the Minnesota Wild, with a 2.92GAA and 89.5%SV. Tonight will be the first time Jones takes on the Wild in 2021-2022. Another regulation loss tonight officially eliminates the Flyers from all probability to make the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Yandle (46.1CF%, 35BLK, 33GV, -37) gets the spotlight. His pairing with Connauton is worth a watch. Both performed well against the Nashville Predators.