Something inexcusable from Thursday is the notion, supported by Travis Konecny and Joel Farabee, that the Philadelphia Flyers (19-13-6) let off the gas in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I know our line specifically, we didn’t generate a lot in the third period. Maybe we were sitting back a little too much.”
Travis Konecny; 1/4/2024
The Blue Jackets are a team the Flyers should defeat. After the shootout loss, Philadelphia is slipping out of wildcard contention. Two points are required, even if one is better than nothing.
“I don’t think we played necessairly bad. In the third, we were trying to hold on instead of being aggressive. When you do that, teams are too good in this league. They’re going to get their chances. We got to stay aggressive in the third, keep the pressure on them, and not try and sit back and win the game.”
Joel Farabee; 1/4/2024
Today, the Calgary Flames (17-16-5) visit the Wells Fargo Center. To close 2023, the Flames defeated the Flyers at the Scotiabank Saddledome, 4-3. This is a battle to avenge a loss, but more importantly, to get back into the win column.
Calgary Flames
A recent win for the Flames versus the Nashville Predators, 6-3, gives Calgary a winning record. Ryan Huska is hoping to keep the momentum going, not to stall in Philadelphia:
“We’ve been in this situation a few times where we got to it, but then we would lose that next game, and we find ourselves having to dig out again. We want to try to gain a little bit of traction with stringing points together.”
Ryan Huska; 1/4/2024
Nazem Kadri helped the Flames to their hot start versus the Predators, scoring with 12:03 remaining in the first period. Kadri also scored when Calgary hosted the Flyers during the fiasco after Sam Ersson removed his helmet due to one of the straps coming loose, creating a stir. In his last five games, Kadri scored three goals.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Calgary Flames:
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Sharangovich
Zary-Kadri-Pospisil
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Greer-Ruzicka-Dube
Weegar-Andersson
Hanifin-Tanev
Oesterle-Desimone
Markstrom
(Vladar)
Philadelphia Flyers
Despite the loss, John Tortorella told his locker room that he loved the energy versus Columbus. Philadelphia dictated the pace throughout the first two periods, but many missed opportunities and a few late lapses allowed the Blue Jackets to come back:
“I told my team today; I loved our energy last night. I thought we took a huge step forward in our style of play, controlling the neutral zone [and] getting on to the offense; I thought it was probably one of our most energetic games of even the road trip. We lose ourselves a little bit when you have the scoring chances you have; Yorkie [York] has a breakaway early in the third period. A number of other chances, and next thing you’re tied two-two.”
John Tortorella; 1/5/2023
Konecny accounted for a pair of goals versus Columbus. On the road against the Flames, Konecny added a pair of assists. Reaching his second NHL All-Star Weekend bid, Konecny is scorching with eight points (4G, 4A) in his last five games, including a six-game point streak.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Farabee-Couturier-Konecny
Tippett-Frost-Atkinson
Foerster-Poehling-Brink
Deslauriers-Laughton-Hathaway
York-Sanheim
Seeler-Walker
Zamula-Ristolainen
Hart
(Ersson)
Place Your Bets (via DraftKings)
Philadelphia Flyers (-108)
Calgary Flames (-112)
Nazem Kadri anytime goalscorer (+190)
Travis Konecny over .5pt (-160)
Game Information
The Philadelphia Flyers host the Calgary Flames at 1pm. You can watch the telecast on NBC Sports Philadelphia or the NHL Network. The radio broadcast is available with 97.5 the Fanatic.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
