Another installment of Broad Street vs. Broadway.
The Flyers take one of their biggest rivals in the New York Rangers, who currently sit at the top of Metro Division standings. Both teams are coming into this game on wins (Flyers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1; Rangers won 5-1 against the New Jersey Devils), but Flyers coach John Tortorella made it clear that some changes could be imminent when facing his former team.
Who's In, Who's Out?
The Rangers didn't practice on Friday, but the Flyers did, and there was quite a lot going on.
Tyson Foerster was back practicing in a regular jersey after wearing a non-contact one following an injury to his right foot blocking a shot, and said he hopes to play against New York after missing the last four games.
Jamie Drysdale didn't participate in practice, but Tortorella confirmed that he will be okay to play against the Rangers. Cam York practiced in a non-contact jersey, but is still likely to available to play. If York is unavailable, it's very possible the Flyers would stray from their usual 11/7 model and employ 12 forwards.
Travis Konecny unexpectedly left practice after getting tangled up with Marc Staal. Although the contact didn't appear to be too harsh and Konecny was able to walk off his own power, albeit in some discomfort, there are not currently any updates on the status of the Flyers' star forward.
Making the Farg a Fortress
Flyers fans will surely cringe at the memory of last season, when Rangers fans essentially took over the Wells Fargo Center and made it feel like a home game for the away team. Tortorella acknowledged this after practice, saying the Flyers are still trying to establish their "home ice" and turn the Wells Fargo Center into "a tough place to come into and play...the fans are a big part of that."
There's been no problems making the Wells Fargo Center loud this season, with the Flyers fans turning out in impressive numbers to support their unexpectedly successful team. At a point in the season when the Flyers need as much momentum as possible, fan support (especially against such a bitter rival) will be essential.
Back-to-Back Weekend
This weekend will be an indicator of how prepared the Flyers to stay energized and at the top of their game when dealing with a hectic schedule, especially against division rivals. After they face the Rangers Saturday afternoon, they immediately head out to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins on Sunday afternoon. The Penguins may be second-to-last in the Metro, but, of course, no game between Pennsylvania's two hockey teams will ever be an easy one. (Plus, the last time they faced each other, everyone was a little distracted by the Cutter Gauthier-Jamie Drysdale trade.)
Barring any Danny Briere shenanigans this time around, the Flyers' ability to pace themselves, focus, and come out swinging in back-to-back games will be on display this weekend.
Flyers Projected Lines:
Forwards:
Tippett - Couturier - Atkinson
Farabee - Frost - Konecny
Cates - Poehling - Hathaway
Foerster - Laughton
Defense:
York - Sanheim
Seeler - Walker
Staal - Drysdale
Zamula
Starting Goalie:
Ersson
Rangers Projected Lines:
Forwards:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Vesey
Panarin - Trocheck - Lafreniere
Cuylle - Brodzinski - Kakko
Edstrom - Goodrow - Rempe
Defense:
Miller - Trouba
Lindgren - Fox
Gustafsson - Schneider
Starting Goalie:
Shesterkin
Related: Ersson, Tortorella React to Legendary Goalie's High Praise
Related: John Tortorella Compares Konecny to Former Blue Jackets Star