Two nights ago, the Philadelphia Flyers got back into the win column, making sure they weren’t to lose two in a row. A home win versus the Anaheim Ducks put them back to an even record in the NHL.
On the ice, Kevin Hayes notched his first NHL hat trick. Rasmus Ristolainen and Morgan Frost also captured the audience, finishing their highlight reel goals. Ristolainen went backhand to score shorthanded, and Frost went through his legs, lifting the puck for a cold-blooded score. In a 5-2 win, the conversation hardly focused on the Flyers sweeping the Ducks.
On Pride Night, Ivan Provorov didn’t warm up due to the Pride jersey. Justin Braun warmed up as John Tortorella excused Provorov from the warm-up, citing that he was ‘being true to himself and his religion.’ A night meant to show that hockey is for everyone failed, and while he can have that decision, the optics don’t help.
Tonight, Philadelphia hosts the Chicago Blackhawks, winners in four of their last five games.
In 2022-2023, the Flyers will battle the Blackhawks twice. The puck drops on the first encounter this evening at 7pm. Later this season, on April 13th, 2023, the final challenge between these two clubs takes place at the United Center. Which team will keep rolling? Can Philadelphia take what the schedule gives them, or will Chicago play the spoiler?
Chicago Blackhawks (12-26-4)
The Blackhawks are leading the tank for Connor Bedard. They’re tied for last in wins with Anaheim but trail in points.
Here’s the tentative lineup for Chicago:
Johnson, T-Domi-Kane
Kurashev-Toews-Raddysh
Dickinson-Lafferty-Athanasiou
Blackwell-Entwistle-Johnson, R
McCabe-Jones, S
Johnson, J-Murphy
Phillips-Jones, C
Mrazek
(Stauber)
Taylor Raddysh (12G, 8A) is on a hot run. He’s tallied five points in the last three games, including a three-point affair in a loss to the Seattle Kraken. Raddysh ranks fourth on the Blackhawks in scoring. His only career game with Chicago against the Flyers finished in a 3-1 victory, but Raddysh didn’t contribute to the scoreboard.
Seth Jones (-25, 64BLK, 30GV, 47.7%CF) had a three-point night. On the top pair, the first powerplay unit, and penalty kill, Jones is the most active defenseman in the lineup. In his career, Jones has thirteen points (6G, 7A) against Philadelphia with a -1 rating.
Philadelphia Flyers (19-19-7)
Keeping at the Wells Fargo Center for the second straight game, the Flyers could connect consecutive victories. They’re 8-2-0 in their last ten contests.
Here’s the tentative lineup for Philadelphia:
van Riemsdyk-Frost-Tippett
Farabee-Cates-Konecny
Hayes-Laughton-Allison
Deslauriers-Brown-MacEwen
Provorov-York
Sanheim-DeAngelo
Seeler-Ristolainen
Hart
(Ersson)
Travis Konecny (24G, 24A) cooled off briefly against the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins. Then, he was back at his pace versus the Ducks, notching two assists. He leads the Flyers in scoring, including powerplay goals, shorthanded goals, and game-winners. Additionally, he’s converting on 18.9% of the shots he takes. In his career versus the Blackhawks, Konecny has seven points (2G, 5A) in ten games, including the primary assist on a Kevin Hayes goal during a 3-1 loss on April 25th, 2022.
Place Your Bets
Philadelphia Flyers moneyline (-225)
Chicago Blackhawks moneyline (+190)
Taylor Raddysh anytime goal (+320)
Seth Jones o.5pts (-105)
Travis Konecny o1.5pts (+155)
Game Information
You can watch the Philadelphia Flyers faceoff versus the Chicago Blackhawks at 7pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast is available on 93.3 WMMR.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
