Preview: Trevor Zegras out with injury as the Ducks host the Flyers

Anaheim Ducks forward (16) Ryan Strome taking an offensive zone faceoff against Flyers Forward (14) Sean Couturier.
Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

John Tortorella’s Flyers are geared up for a redemption match against the Anaheim Ducks following a setback against the San Jose Sharks, who secured their first victory of the season after a month of hockey. Get a sneak peek into what Friday night at the Honda Center has in store.

Trevor Zegras will miss action tonight as he recovers from a lower-body injury, leading to Killorn taking his spot on the first line. In their previous encounter, Tortorella strategically deployed defensive forward expert Sean Couturier and his line to contain the Trevor Zegras/Leo Carlsson/Troy Terry trio. While the Ducks first line was rarely visible throughout the game, this approach allowed Mason McTavish and his line (Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano) to take control offensively, leading to Frank Vatrano getting his second hat trick of the season. Towards the end of the last match, Tortorella adjusted his matchups, pitting his shutdown line against the McTavish line. It’s expected that this will be the starting strategy for tonight’s game, presenting an opportunity for Killorn/Carlsson/Terry to shine during even-strength play.

Tortorella, known for his intolerance of losses, won’t settle for a defeat against a 0-10-1 team. Anticipate a swift and assertive response from the Flyers as they look to break free from their two-game losing streak. John Tortorella might turn to forward Sean Couturier, a reliable presence at the Honda Center. Couturier has found consistent success, netting a goal in his past four outings and notching at least one point in each of his last seven games at the venue.

The Ducks’ goaltending has showcased excellence in recent games, with John Gibson holding a notable .921 save percentage for the season, and Lukas Dostal not far behind at .920. Despite Lukas’ subpar performance in a previous game against Philadelphia this season, he’s likely to deliver a solid performance, as he’s the expected starter for Anaheim.

Tonight marks the return of Flyers’ starting goaltender Carter Hart, accompanied by the highly motivated Morgan Frost, who aims to secure a lasting presence in the lineup. Hart has been instrumental in Philadelphia’s success this season, boasting a 4-3 record and an impressive .913 save percentage. Additionally, Anaheim Hills native Cam York is expected to be a formidable presence in this matchup as he returns to his hometown.

The Ducks lead the league in penalties per game, presenting an opportunity for the Flyers to capitalize on their power play. However, the Flyers themselves have struggled with powerplay success, with only a 9% conversion rate. Since Anaheim doesn’t concede many 5-on-5 scoring opportunities, the Flyers must make the most of their extra-man opportunities in this game.

Episode 130: Z You Later Late Arrivals: An Anaheim Ducks Podcast

Hooooo boy, what a week. The guys are joined by a special guest for this episode of LAP! The guys and Chad (@anacalling_fhf) cover the absolutely baffling Trevor Zegras trade and the understandable fallout in the Ducks Fandom. Chad lays out everything you need to know about what the Ducks could be doing with the 10th Overall pick at the Draft. As always, they finish the episode by answering listener questions! Follow Late Arrivals  Twitter: @latearrivalspod Instagram: @latearrivalspod Follow the hosts Chris: @CJKChel Chad: @anacalling_fhf Jake: @_JRobles71 Louis: @Louiex37  Intro/ Outro done by Will Rice/ @pastorwillrice
  1. Episode 130: Z You Later
  2. Episode 129: Oops! All Cats
  3. Episode 128: Stir Them Beans
  4. Episode 127: The Ol' Meat Sweats
  5. Episode 126: Duck Pattern Baldness

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Edmonton Oilers Logo

Edmonton Oilers Free Agent Frenzy Recap

Happy belated Canada Day to you all. It’s not always easy to pay attention to more news about your team while enjoying barbeque and fireworks. But I hope you did, nonetheless. The NHL offseason lasts longer than a day, but July 1st, and even June 30th, are always the more fun days. We can be […]

Read More
Colorado Avalanche Sign Brent Burns

Colorado Avalanche Sign Brent Burns

The Colorado Avalanche add to the defensive core with the addition of Brent Burns on a one-year deal.

Read More
San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils Swap AHL Forwards

San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils Swap AHL Forwards

San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils Swap AHL Forwards

Read More

Notifications

Error: Episode unavailable - Open in a new tab