This two-game road trip is quite the task for the Philadelphia Flyers, and despite a loss against the Dallas Stars, they’re passing the test.
How could that be? The Flyers were the ones who lost in overtime.
At the moment, Philadelphia sits atop the NHL Metropolitan Division. That doesn’t happen without the team giving quality performances against each opponent. Pressure makes diamonds, and the competition on this road trip brings out the best in the Flyers.
Tonight, John Tortorella suits a lineup to take on the Vegas Golden Knights, the reigning and defending Stanley Cup Champions. To compete with this team, the Flyers must convert on the powerplay, blend smart hockey with aggressive checking, and help out Carter Hart. Lately, Philadelphia is a heavy forechecking team, and Hart is off to a good start. The Golden Knights are one of three undefeated teams remaining in the NHL this season. As the champions should, they present the fiercest challenge.
Vegas Golden Knights
An 11pm faceoff is a rough adjustment for the Flyers. Vegas doesn’t need an advantage; they’re a team that knows how to play winning hockey and can flip the switch at the drop of a hat. Bruce Cassidy doesn’t believe his club dominated an opponent from start to finish yet, but when the Golden Knights are challenged, they’ve responded victoriously.
“I don’t think we’ve outclassed; gone out and just been way better than start to finish. San Jose, if you look back at that game, it was their home opener and there was a stretch in the second late where we capitalized on a couple of plays. Winnipeg, we were good, then we weren’t at the start of the third. Chicago, the other day, we didn’t start on time, really; bad line change, mismanage a puck, now it’s in our net, we’re chasing it, but we found it in the third.”
Bruce Cassidy; 10/24/2023
Jonathan Marchessault notched his third goal of the season. Each shot he took against the Blackhawks came from a dangerous location, meaning shot blocking and clearing the crease will be a huge part of mitigating scoring chances with him on the ice. Since arriving in Vegas, Marchessault totaled eight points (4G, 4A) versus Philadelphia in nine games.
“We won the Cup a couple months ago, right? So it’s a good measuring stick for where their game is at, and Philly’s going to do the same thing. They want to see where their game’s at. They’ve been playing good, feeling pretty good about themselves as well, and we’re still one of the best teams in the league. I think it’s a good challenge for them.”
Jonathan Marchessault; 10/24/2023
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Vegas Golden Knights:
Barbashev-Eichel-Marchessault
Howden-Stephenson-Stone
Cotter-Karlsson-Amadio
Carrier-Roy-Kolesar
McNabb-Theodore
Pachal-Martinez
Korczak-Hague
Thompson
(Hill)
Philadelphia Flyers
Tortorella articulated how often he is assessing and reassessing the team to put the younger players in a position to succeed. Rasmus Ristolainen (body) and Marc Staal (upper body) are recovering from injury, forcing Tortorella to put Yegor Zamula and Emil Andrae into the lineup together. These young defensemen have another opportunity to face stiff competition, which will ultimately pay off in player development.
“We’re playing against a really good team tonight. No matter where we put him [Andrae], we’re trying to put him in spots to succeed; the best way within playing against the opposition. Sometimes you end up reassessing a little bit, and see what is best for him. I really like him, like I’ve told you guys, I don’t think he’s afraid, but there’s a number of mistakes being made, and we have to be congnizant of that, too; that we don’t want to hurt his development.”
John Tortorella; 10/24/2023
Tyson Foerster vastly improved his game away from the puck, but Tortorella challenged him to produce points. At times, the Flyers flash the capability of cycling and walking the puck in the offensive zone. On the powerplay, Foerster needs to become a catalyst. He’ll be looking for his first point in his career against the Golden Knights.
“He’s told me I got to shoot more, so that’s what I started trying to do last game. I felt I had a good game, making more plays, and taking more pucks to the net.”
Tyson Foerster; 10/24/2023
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Tippett-Couturier-Atkinson
Konecny-Laughton-Foerster
Farabee-Cates-Brink
Deslauriers-Poehling-Hathaway
York-Sanheim
Zamula-Walker
Andrae-Seeler
Hart
(Ersson)
Place Your Bets (via DraftKings)
Philadelphia Flyers (+164)
Vegas Golden Knights (-198)
Tyson Foerster over .5pts (+124)
Jonathan Marchessault over .5pts (-145)
Game Information
You can watch the Flyers take on the Golden Knights in Las Vegas on ESPN+. The radio broadcast can be heard on 97.5 the Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7. The puck drops at 11pm.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
