The Philadelphia Flyers went 1-0-1 in their weekend back-to-back. Hosting the Buffalo Sabres, the Flyers looked like a well-oiled machine. Despite being outshot, Owen Tippett contributed a hat trick and Carter Hart provided stability, spoiling a must win for the Sabres during their wildcard hunt.
On Saturday, against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flyers matched up well against the top team in the Metropolitan Division. The overtime heroics from Carolina were too much for the Flyers to handle.
Tonight, the Flyers take on the Florida Panthers to close out the season series. The series is tied, 1-1, and both teams won on home ice. In the most recent matchup on October 27, 2022, Hart led the Flyers to a 4-3 victory after making 48 saves.
Florida Panthers (36-27-7)
Winners of the President’s Trophy at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season, the Panthers occupy the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. Last night, they beat the Detroit Red Wings. Every point matters, and they’re hoping Philadelphia doesn’t help the Pittsburgh Penguins by playing spoiler.
Matthew Tkachuk (33G, 62A) is quietly putting together an MVP sort of season. He ranks among the elite in the NHL, ranked fifth in the league in points. Tkachuk impressed in every way during his first season in Florida. Each time he steps onto the ice, Tkachuk is a difference-maker complete with a physical brand of hockey.
Brandon Montour (+9, 84HIT, 39GV, 58.4%CF) provides stability along the blue line. He averages 24:08 on the ice, the most on the entire Panthers roster. Montour is having a career season after Mackenzie Weegar left to the Calgary Flames.
Here’s the projected lineup for the Florida Panthers:
Luostarinen-Barkov-Reinhart
Verhaeghe-Bennett-Tkachuk
Lomberg-Lundell-Duclair
Cousins-Staal-White
Forsling-Ekblad
Staal-Montour
Mahura-Gudas
Lyon
(Bobrovsky)
Philadelphia Flyers (25-32-12)
Joel Farabee (11G, 18A) had a positive weekend, scoring versus Buffalo and Carolina. His goal versus the Sabres was his first since January 9th. This season is tough for Farabee following neck surgery last offseason, but he’s beginning to break out of the mental strain in these final weeks.
“Starting to make a few more plays than I have been; just trying to play free out there, [and] not think too much.” Farabee said after Friday’s win.
Joel Farabee; 3/17/2023
Tyson Foerster (1G, 2A) collected his first NHL points over the weekend; an assist versus Buffalo and his first NHL goal versus Carolina. He’s gaining confidence at the NHL level, impressing his coaches and the fanbase.
“This league’s all about confidence. Mine’s pretty high right now, but I’m just going to look for [the] next game.”
Tyson Foerster; 3/18/2023
Egor Zamula (-1, 8BLK, 8GV, 45%CF) recalled from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to the Flyers yesterday will dress. He played eleven games this season, tallying two assists. In the AHL, Zamula totaled sixteen points (1G, 15A) in 42 games played. The Flyers will stick to an 11F/7D lineup format with Tanner Laczynski listed as a healthy scratch.
Here’s the projected lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Farabee-Cates-Tippett
Hayes-Laughton-Allison
Lemieux-Frost-Foerster
Deslauriers-van Riemsdyk
Provorov-York
Sanheim-Ristolainen
Seeler-DeAngelo
Zamula
Hart
(Sandstrom)
Place Your Bets
Philadelphia Flyers moneyline (+150)
Florida Panthers moneyline (-175)
Matthew Tkachuk anytime goal (+100)
Joel Farabee anytime goal (+275)
Game Information
You can watch the Philadelphia Flyers host the Florida Panthers on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast is available on 97.5 the Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7. The puck drops at 7pm.
(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)