As the Philadelphia Flyers gear up to host the Dallas Stars at Xfinity Mobile Arena, there's a palpable buzz in the air. Fresh off a commanding win in Detroit, the Flyers are riding high with a 4-1-0 record in their last five outings. Since the Olympic Break, they've been on a tear, going 7-2-1 over their last ten games, and thrusting themselves into the playoff conversation.
The Flyers' recent form has been nothing short of impressive, and with the postseason in sight, every game is crucial. Meanwhile, the Stars have already secured their playoff spot, sitting comfortably in second place in the Central Division. They snapped a four-game skid with a solid 6-3 victory over the Penguins, but their recent 1-3-1 record over five games suggests some vulnerability.
Tonight's puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST, and here's how the Flyers are expected to line up:
Flyers Lines & Pairs vs. Stars
Forwards:
- Alex Bump - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny
- Denver Barkey - Trevor Zegras - Owen Tippett
- Carl Grundstrom - Noah Cates - Matvei Michkov
- Sean Couturier - Luke Glendening - Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen:
- Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen
- Cam York - Jamie Drysdale
- Nick Seeler - Emil Andrae
Goaltenders:
- Sam Ersson
- Dan Vladar
Special Teams:
- PP1: Ristolainen, Cates, Zegras, Konecny, Michkov
- PP2: Drysdale, Sanheim, Dvorak, Barkey, Tippett
Game Notes:
With the Flyers playing back-to-back games, it's likely we'll see both goalies in action. Dan Vladar took the net on Saturday, so expect Sam Ersson to step in against the Stars.
Ersson has been pivotal in the Flyers' recent surge, despite a rocky start to the season. Since the Olympic Break, he's been stellar, posting a .931 save percentage and a 1.40 goals-against average over five games, contributing to a 4-1-0 record in those appearances.
Owen Tippett is another player to watch. Fresh off a hat trick against the Red Wings, he’s now at 27 goals for the season. With 30 goals within reach, Tippett is a crucial offensive weapon for the Flyers.
As for the Stars, they come into this matchup with their postseason berth secured. Having played Jake Oettinger on Saturday, expect Casey DeSmith to guard the net tonight.
This matchup promises to be an exciting clash of teams in different phases of their season. The Flyers are fighting for their playoff lives, while the Stars are looking to fine-tune their game ahead of the postseason. It’s set to be a thrilling night of hockey in Philly!