Game Day Preview #69: Flyers vs. Maple Leafs

The Philadelphia Flyers didn't have to wait too long to attempt to get revenge against the Toronto Maple Leafs at home.

The Philadelphia Flyers didn't have to wait too long to attempt to get revenge against the Toronto Maple Leafs at home, having just played the Leafs at the Wells Fargo Center on Mar. 14. 

The Flyers are dealing with a string of disappointing losses that have come from otherwise promising performances, along with the ever-tightening standings in the Metro Division. The tension is palpable as the playoff push continues, and chaos is sure to ensue as the regular season finishes up, but whether it will be positive or negative is yet to be decided.

There was plenty of speculation over whether or not captain Sean Couturier would be scratched against the Maple Leafs after being demoted to the fourth line and seeing increasingly limited ice time over the last several games. However, Couturier himself confirmed after Tuesday's morning skate that he would not be featured in the lineup against the Leafs. 

"I control what I can control," the captain said during his media availability. "It is what it is."

On Monday, Tortorella reiterated his stance that his decisions regarding ice time might be harsh, but he believes that they're fair. 

"Those are the decisions I have to make," he said. "The people I have slotted and given more minutes as we've gone through here, I think deserve it." 

It will be interesting to see how the team fares without their captain and longest-tenured player in the lineup, especially against a strong Leafs side that's already beat them by a considerable margin within the last week. It's sure to take a mental toll on the players to not have such a prominent leader with them in a hugely important game like this, but it'll be yet another test on how they can overcome less-than-ideal circumstances. 

The Flyers have struggled with keeping the game close until one slip-up leads to letting their opposition get a flurry of goals, and suddenly they're using all of their energy on chasing the game and ensuring they don't let in anymore. Against the Leafs, they have to prevent the wound from opening altogether.

Sam Ersson will be getting the start in net, but he's still most likely exhausted from how much he's had to play since the All-Star Break. Cam York and Travis Sanheim have been the one consistent defensive pairing amongst a devastating string of injuries, trades, and call-ups/send-downs. York especially has taken on a more significant role than ever before, and while he's been thoroughly impressive, it should be noted that 1) he's playing with an upper body injury and 2) he's one player and cannot sustainably carry the defensive efforts without getting very burnt out very quickly.

The Flyers will need extra efforts from everyone against Toronto if they have any hope of keeping up with them across the entire 60 minutes. 

The Metro Division has been one big hub of pandemonium lately, and assistant coach Rocky Thompson admitted that while the Flyers are primarily focused on their own games and collecting as many points as possible, they're keeping an eye on how the other teams in the division are doing. 

The Flyers are holding on to third place by their fingertips, with both the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders quickly gaining ground on them. Just as much they have to rely on themselves to squeeze every possible point out of their remaining games, they're going to have to rely on other teams' results to keep their spot in the playoffs. It's a nervy position to be in, and that added anxiety is detrimental to the team's already exhausted mental state. They've had to endure a lot this season, all while juggling unexpected success and constant changes within the team. 

Flyers Projected Lines:

Forwards:

 Tippett - Frost - Konecny

Farabee - Laughton - Brink

Foerster - Poehling - Hathaway

Deslauriers - Cates - Lycksell

Defense:

York - Sanheim

Ginning - Attard

Zamula - Johnson

Starting Goalie:

Ersson

Maple Leafs Projected Lines:

Forwards:

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Holmberg

McMann - Domi - Nylander

Knies - Tavares - Robertson

Dewar - Kampf - Reaves 

Defense:

Rielly - Brodie

Benoit - McCabe

Edmundson - Liljegren

Starting Goalie:

Samsonov

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