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.
