Gameday 77 Preview: Flyers vs. Canadiens

There's something about Montreal in the spring that brings a certain cinematic energy to the game.

A classic building. A storied opponent. And tonight, the stakes for the Philadelphia Flyers couldn't be clearer. If they lose in any fashion, whether in regulation, overtime, or a shootout, their playoff hopes are officially extinguished. 

It's not where they wanted to be. But it's not necessarily the end, either.

The Flyers have been playing some inspired hockey under interim head coach Brad Shaw. They're skating hard, playing loose, and showing a kind of purpose that doesn't always show up in the standings—but speaks volumes in the locker room.

Tonight's clash against the Canadiens is more than just a math problem involving the standings; it's a chance to keep pushing, to embrace the role of disruptor, and to look forward—because there's still plenty to look forward to.

1. This Is It: Facing Elimination with Pride Still on the Line

Let’s not beat around the bush—this one has emotional weight.

The Flyers are on the brink. A loss, in any form, and their postseason hopes vanish. 

But this team doesn’t sulk. They fight.

Brad Shaw has been honest since taking the reins from John Tortorella: he wants this group to embrace the “spoiler” role. If the Flyers go down, they’re going to drag other teams into the mud with them. They’re going to keep skating like their playoff lives still matter. Because to them, the way they finish the season says just as much as where they finish in the standings.

Shaw’s approach has been simple and effective. He’s loosened the reins a little, allowed for some more fluid creativity, and the team’s energy has reflected that. They're playing with more pace, making more high-skill plays, and having more fun out there. And even in the wake of gutting losses and mounting injuries, there’s been no quit. That matters.

Tonight is their first road test under Shaw, and the Bell Centre is no gentle place to try and find your footing. The Canadiens will want to deliver the final blow to Philadelphia’s playoff chances on home ice. For the Flyers, it’s not just about survival. It’s about making a statement that says: we’re not done fighting.

2. Karsen Dorwart’s NHL Debut: A Glimpse of What’s to Come

It’s always special when a player makes his NHL debut. And for Karsen Dorwart, it comes at a time when the Flyers’ organizational messaging has been consistent: the youth movement is real, and it’s here.

Signed out of Michigan State after an impressive senior season, Dorwart brings a compelling mix of motor, intelligence, and grit. He’s not the flashiest prospect, but he’s the kind of two-way forward the Flyers covet—one who plays with detail, supports the puck, and makes the right reads. He earned this look, plain and simple.

And don’t be surprised if he makes an impact early. Dorwart has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He keeps his feet moving, battles hard on the boards, and plays a selfless brand of hockey that tends to endear quickly to coaches.

More than anything, his debut marks another brick laid in the Flyers’ rebuild—not a teardown, but a purposeful build. And while the focus will be on his first NHL shifts, his presence is also a signpost of how the Flyers are evaluating, experimenting, and setting up next year’s camp to be a competitive cauldron of opportunity.

3. Calder Clash: Matvei Michkov vs. Lane Hutson

There’s no shortage of intrigue in tonight’s game, but one of the most compelling storylines is the unofficial Calder Trophy showdown between Flyers sensation Matvei Michkov and Canadiens blueliner Lane Hutson.

Michkov, simply put, has been electric. With his dazzling puck control, elite vision, and uncanny ability to find soft space in dangerous areas, he’s become—unsurprisingly—a crucial part of Philadelphia’s offense. He’s made a legitimate push for the rookie scoring title, all while adapting to a new culture, language, and league. Every night, he gives fans something to talk about. And he’s still only 20.

Hutson, on the other hand, has been a standout on the back end. Undersized but fearless, his offensive instincts and transition skills have sparked the Canadiens from the blue line all season. He's cerebral, slippery, and smooth, with the kind of spatial awareness that lets him walk the line like a tightrope artist. 

This isn’t just about who’s putting up more points. It’s about style, creativity, and who can take the spotlight when the game gets tight. It’s a fascinating chess match between two of the brightest young stars in the league—and it’s the kind of side narrative that makes a late-season game between two playoff outsiders feel like must-watch television.

The Bottom Line

There are games that matter in the standings, and there are games that matter in the soul. Tonight might be both.

The Flyers don’t want this to be the night they’re mathematically eliminated—but if it is, you can bet they’ll go out swinging. There’s youth making its debut, stars putting on a show, and a new coach trying to ignite something that lasts longer than a playoff push.

The foundation is still being built. And if you watch closely, you can already see what’s coming next.

Tonight, in Montreal, another brick gets laid.

Projected Lines

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink

Matvei Michkov - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny

Jakob Pelletier - Ryan Poehling - Owen Tippett

Nicolas Deslauriers - Karsen Dorwart - Garnet Hathaway

Defense:

Nick Seeler - Travis Sanheim

Cam York - Jamie Drysdale

Egor Zamula - Emil Andrae

Goalies:

Samuel Ersson

Ivan Fedotov

Montreal Canadiens

Forwards:

Cole Caufield - Nick Suzuki - Juraj Slafkovsky

Emil Heineman - Alex Newhook - Patrik Laine

Josh Anderson - Christian Dvorak - Brendan Gallagher

Michael Pezzetta - Jake Evans - Joel Armia

Defense:

Mike Matheson - Alexandre Carrier

Kaiden Guhle - Lane Hutson 

Jayden Struble - David Savard

Goalies:

Sam Montembeault

Jakub Dobes