The Philadelphia Flyers (4-8-1) will play the Tampa Bay Lightning (7-6-0) this evening at 7:30 p.m. The Flyers sit last in the Metropolitan Division and last in the entire NHL with nine points. They are 3-7-0 in their last ten games and are riding a two-game winless streak.
On Tuesday, the Flyers fell to the Carolina Hurricanes, 6-4, despite hanging on and making a slight comeback. The Flyers’ schedule in November is tough and will show if the team is capable of hanging with some of the NHL’s best.
Philadelphia Flyers
Forward Matvei Michkov will come out of the lineup, and Anthony Richard will make his Flyers debut tonight. Michkov recorded a powerplay assist in the loss to the Hurricanes, but he’s seen a significant drop in ice time over the last few games. It was expected that Michkov would experience road bumps in his rookie season and first one in North America, too. He’s been one of the Flyers’ top forwards and point scorers already, but he’s still in the process of adjusting to the NHL level.
“It’s part of the process,” said head coach John Tortorella regarding Michkov’s scratching.
Richard impressed during Flyers Training Camp and has scored nine points (4G, 5A) in seven games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Richard is an excellent skater and has speed. He has the tools to be an offensive threat, and that was evident with the Providence Bruins last year when he scored 55 points (25G, 30A) in 59 games played. Richard will see first-unit powerplay duties tonight.
Goaltender Alexei Kolosov will be between the pipes for his second start in a row. He made 28 saves in Tuesday’s loss.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning sit third in the Atlantic Divison and 14th overall in the league. They’re currently riding a three-game winless streak, with the latest loss coming at the hands of the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, 3-2.
Last year’s Art Ross Trophy winner, Nikita Kucherov, is off to a blistering pace again this year. Kucherov has 22 points (10G, 12A) in 13 games played and is eight points ahead of Brandon Hagel, who sits second on the team with 14 points (7G, 7A). In 26 career games against the Flyers, Kucherov has nine goals and 22 assists. He scored a hat trick in Philadelphia on Jan. 23, 2024.
Jake Guentzel signed with the Lightning in free agency to make up for the loss of Steven Stamkos to the Nashville Predators. In 13 games played in his first season in Tampa, Guentzel has 13 points (5G, 8A) in as many games played.
Betting Guide
*Bets courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Philadelphia Flyers moneyline (+168)
Tampa Bay Lightning moneyline (-205)
Nikita Kucherov anytime goalscorer (+100)
Owen Tippett any time goalscorer (+270)
How to Watch
You can watch the Flyers take on the Lightning on ESPN+ and Hulu. The radio broadcast will be available on 97.5 The Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
