Gameday 5 Preview: Flyers vs. Canucks

Siobhan Nolan

Oct 19, 2024, 16:23

Siobhan Nolan

Oct 19, 2024, 16:23

The Philadelphia Flyers will get the chance to grab another win against the Vancouver Canucks, who they beat in a shootout when the teams met for the Flyers' first game of the season.

Bob Frid-Imagn Images - Gameday 5 Preview: Flyers vs. Canucks

The Philadelphia Flyers will get the chance to grab another win against the Vancouver Canucks, who they beat in a shootout when the teams met for the Flyers' first game of the season.

That victory was the only one they salvaged from their four-game road trip that kicked off the season, but they'll be looking to turn things around in front of the home crowd for their first 2024-25 matchup at the Wells Fargo Center.

Home Sweet Home

Everyone was feeling effects of four games in six days on the West Coast—the players were exhausted from a hectic travel schedule to kick off the season, while fans back in Philadelphia altered their sleep schedules for the 10 p.m. puck drops.

They'll be anchored to the East Coast for a stretch going forward, and if the preseason crowds were only a small indicator of the energy, support, and excitement the city has for this Flyers team, there should be no problems firing the players up to get back in the win column.

Lucky Number Five

The powerplay has taken some pretty significant strides so far this season, with the Flyers recording a powerplay goal in each game they've played this season.

It's a huge improvement from where the PP stood last year, and the more comfortable they get with consistently scoring on the man advantage, the more lethal the offense will be. The 5v5 play is gelling (slowly, but surely), while the penalty kill remains solid (especially factoring in Travis Konecny's penchant for scoring shorthanded goals). If they score a fifth straight powerplay goal tonight, the roof might just blow off the Wells Fargo Center.

Fourth Line Heroics

While the Flyers have been trying out different lines in their top six to try and figure out which combination suits newcomers Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko, their fourth line has been doing all the right things to hold things down when they're out on the ice.

In the Flyers' last outing, against the Seattle Kraken, Scott Laughton netted two goals to help keep the Flyers afloat, while linemates Garnet Hathaway and Ryan Poehling helped the fourth line look like some of the best players on the ice.

A quality fourth line is crucial to any team going above and beyond, and the Flyers' current one has all the qualities to be the anchor this team needs, which could very well be the difference-maker in their quest for a successful season.