The Philadelphia Flyers will take on the New York Islanders tonight in their first home game of the 2024-25 NHL preseason. So far this preseason, the Flyers are 1-1-0. They defeated the Washington Capitals on Sunday, 6-2, and then fell to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, 5-0.
Forwards Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko will get their first taste of home action at the Wells Fargo Center tonight. Michkov is a lock to make the opening night roster and Luchanko has been turning heads throughout training camp. For tonight’s game, Luchanko will be centering a line alongside Tyson Foerster and Travis Konecny.
Yesterday, the Flyers announced the first roster cuts from training camp. Also on Wednesday, the Flyers announced that goaltender Eetu Makiniemi was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000. Makiniemi entered Flyers Training Camp on a professional try-out and has now earned himself an official contract.
Earlier today, it was reported that goaltending prospect Alexi Kolosov is en route to Philadelphia to join the team. Kolosov can likely see some preseason games along with time in the AHL.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers were firing on all cylinders during their preseason opener on Sunday against the Capitals. Joel Farabee recorded a four-point game (1G, 3A), Bobby Brink notched two goals and another in the shootout, Michkov and Luchanko picked up two assists, and Morgan Frost scored three points (2G, 1A).
On Monday in Montreal, it was a different story. After icing a completely different lineup besides Brink and Olle Lycksell for the game, the Canadiens were the far superior team in a 5-0 win. Again, it’s only the preseason.
Tonight in South Philadelphia, the Flyers will be displaying a front-loaded and skilled top-six. As mentioned above, Luchanko has impressed during training camp. On a line with Foerster and Konecny tonight, Luchanko will have the chance to display his offensive talents and prove why he is in the running to make the team out of training camp and get a nine-game look.
Forward lines for the Flyers, per Charlie O’Connor:
Tippett-Frost-Michkov
Foerster-Luchanko-Konecny
Richard-Abols-Eklind
Deslauriers-Gaucher-Hathaway
Defense:
Grans
Sanheim
York
Ginning
Andrae
Johnson
Goalies:
Ersson
Petersen
New York Islanders
The Islanders are also 1-1-0 in their preseason. They defeated the New Jersey Devils on Sunday 4-2, and fell to the New York Rangers on Tuesday, 6-4, in a thrilling matchup.
Against the Rangers, Mathew Barzal potted two goals and Bo Horvat added one. The Islanders let a 4-1 lead slip away in the third period against the Rangers who iced a lineup similar to how it will look on opening night.
Lineups for the Islanders will be revealed later today closer to warmups.
How to watch
You can watch the Philadelphia Flyers take on the New York Islanders tonight on NBCSP. Radio coverage will be available on 97.5 The Fanatic. The puck drops from the Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 p.m.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
