The Philadelphia Flyers (29-19-6) will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs (27-16-8) tonight in search of their fifth straight win since returning from the NHL All-Star Break.
This is the first of three meetings between both teams this season. The last time these two teams met on January 8th, 2023, the Maple Leafs won 6-2. The upcoming matchups will be on March 14th and March 19th.
Sean Couturier will play his first game as the Flyers’ new captain. He became the 20th captain in team history last night. Philadelphia has a new leadership group led by Couturier, with Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton as alternates.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs defeated the St. Louis Blues on Monday, 4-1, led by a hat trick from Bobby McMann. Toronto, who were expected to be a Stanley Cup contender again this year, continues to find inconsistencies.
At home, they’re 13-10-2. Despite Auston Matthews’ 42 goals in 50 games, the Leafs lack depth outside their core four. Morgan Rielly will not be in tonight’s lineup since he was given a five-game suspension on Tuesday after cross-checking Ridly Greig in the head on Saturday night. Rielly will appeal his suspension to Gary Bettman. His absence cripples an already struggling Leafs blueline.
Of their four NHL All-Star Game representatives this year, William Nylander has arguably made the most headlines in Toronto with Matthew’s out-of-this-world scoring pace. Nylander signed an eight-year $92 million extension in January and is contributing at over a point-per-game pace with 66 in 51 games. In 18 career games against the Flyers, Nylander has 19 points (9G, 10A).
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs:
Knies-Matthews-Marner
Bertuzzi-Tavares-Nylander
Gregor-Domi-Robertson
Holmberg-Kampf-McMann
Brodie-Liljegren
Benoit-McCabe
Giordano-Lagesson
Samsonov
(Hildeby)
Philadelphia Flyers
Tonight is a homecoming for Morgan Frost, Owen Tippett, Jamie Drysdale, and Laughton. Tippett and Drysdale took maintenance days at practice. Tyson Foerster and Rasmus Ristolainen remain out of the lineup.
Joel Farabee has been quiet on the score sheet over the last five games. Contributing an assist since the NHL All-Star Break, Farabee gets chances but hasn’t cashed in. In his career against the Maple Leafs, Farabee totaled four points (3G, 1A) in nine games.
Sam Ersson will get the nod between the pipes. The Arizona Coyotes got to Ersson early on Tuesday, but the Flyers’ offense provided the offense, leading to a 5-3 win.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Tippett-Couturier-Konecny
Farabee-Frost-Atkinson
Hathaway-Poehling-Cates
Lycksell-Laughton-Zamula
York-Sanheim
Staal-Drysdale
Seeler-Walker
Ersson
(Petersen)
Betting Guide (via BetRiver Sportsbook)
Philadelphia Flyers moneyline (+125)
Toronto Maple Leafs moneyline (-155)
Joel Farabee goalscorer (+210)
William Nylander goalscorer (+110)
How to Watch
Watch the Philadelphia Flyers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast will be available on 97.5 The Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7. The puck drops at 7pm from Scotiabank Arena.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
