The Flyers head to Nationwide Arena for their first game of the regular season.
After going 3-2-1 in the preseason, the Philadelphia Flyers are back to play meaningful hockey, and they're kicking the regular season off with a tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio.
The Flyers finished last season with an abysmal record of 31-38-13, but the Blue Jackets were somehow even worse, ending the campaign at last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 25-48-9 record. Now, both teams have their sights set on rebounding in 2023-24.
Here's everything to know about the Flyers' season opener.
How to watch
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Nationwide Arena
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Projected lineup
Joel Farabee - Sean Couturier - Bobby Brink
Owen Tippett - Morgan Frost - Cam Atkinson
Scott Laughton - Noah Cates - Travis Konecny
Nic Deslauriers - Ryan Poehling - Garnet Hathaway
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Marc Staal - Sean Walker
Egor Zamula - Nick Seeler
Carter Hart
Sam Ersson
What to watch for
1. All eyes will be on Bobby Brink when he draws into the lineup against the Blue Jackets. Originally considered a longshot to make the opening-night roster, the 2019 second-round pick played his way into the lineup with a dazzling preseason, having logged a goal and two assists in four appearances. Brink earned rave reviews from Flyers head coach John Tortorella after his final performance of the preseason, and it's expected that he'll see a considerable amount of ice time at Nationwide Arena Thursday night.
2. The Flyers' fourth line of Nic Deslauriers, Ryan Poehling and Garnet Hathaway has remained intact for much of training camp, and it appears it will stay together for the start of the regular season. Poehling turned heads in the preseason after signing with the Flyers in free agency, and Hathaway, after several productive campaigns with the Washington Capitals, figures to be an invigorating addition on the wing. The fourth line shouldn't be expected to drive play and generate the majority of scoring chances, but at the very least, the physical trio should provide an exuberant source of energy.
3. Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson will be appearing in their first meaningful hockey game since the 2021-22 season. They appeared in several preseason tilts and appeared increasingly more comfortable as training camp progressed. The two veteran forwards are likely to still show signs of rust in the season's early going, but Thursday night's game, whether they show rust or not, will be special for both longtime NHLers.