Happy 2023 Flyers Preseason to all!
Tonight, the Philadelphia Flyers visit the New Jersey Devils. It’ll be the first of two preseason games between the rivals.
“Scrimmages is one thing. Practices is another thing. Every camp, even as a player, you go through scrimmages against your friends; it’s intense, but not really. Now we got the first preseason game; it cranks up a little bit, and more, and more.”
Ian Laperriere; 9/25/2023
If you’re a player on the bubble of making the Flyers roster, the preseason acts as the final audition. These games give team management an accurate evaluation of player performance versus outside competition. The Devils will play a lot harder than teammates in training camp.
New Jersey Devils
Technically, the Devils are going to be in two different countries at the same time. They split their squad; one will host the Flyers, and the other is on the road against the Montreal Canadiens.
“Playing two games in the same day, a lot of players get the opportunity to play that maybe wouldn’t get an opportunity to play.”
Lindy Ruff; 9/25/2023
Tyce Thompson appeared in two games with the Devils last season but didn’t register a point. He hopes to sneak onto the roster, like many prospects competing in the preseason. His speed and energy are assets, but earning an NHL role from Curtis Lazar or Nathan Bastian means Thompson has to find his game starting tonight.
“Showing that I can also have a little bit of offensive touch out there, still play the fourth line role, but if you get the opportunity to make plays, do that.”
Tyce Thompson; 9/25/2023
Vitek Vanecek is the starting goaltender for the first and second periods, then Erik Kallgren will finish.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the New Jersey Devils:
Meier-Hischier-Holtz
Bratt-Haula-Thompson
Palat-McLeod-Halonen
Filmon-Bowers-Schmelzer
Bahl-Hamilton
Smith-Foote
Hatakka-Misyul
Vanecek
(Kallgren)
Philadelphia Flyers
Ian Laperriere will coach the Flyers from the bench. Travis Konecny is not in the lineup, but Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson make their long-awaited returns.
“Right now, I feel pretty good. I’m trying to approach it like any other game, but it’s been a while. There’s some things where I’m still trying to adjust with my timing and everything. I’m looking forward it; to see how it goes finally in a real game and go from there.”
Sean Couturier; 9/25/2023
Denver Barkey exploded onto the scene during the 2023 Flyers Rookie Camp. He tallied two assists versus the New York Rangers in the 2023 Rookie Camp Series. He’ll center the third line with Matt Brown, who managed a goal and an assist versus the Rangers, and Tyson Foerster, battling to be the Flyers 3RW.
“Barkey won’t play for me next year, but I’m excited to see him in the preseason. He looked good in the scrimmage.”
Ian Laperriere; 9/25/2023
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Farabee-Couturier-Brink
Lycksell-Frost-Atkinson
Brown-Barkey-Foerster
Furry-Desnoyers-Tuomaala
York-Walker
Andrae-Grans
Bonk-Seeler
Petersen
(Sandstrom)
Game Information
You can watch the Flyers begin their 2023 Preseason against the Devils, streaming on the team website. The broadcast is available on 97.5 the Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7. The puck drops at 7pm.
(Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)
