Game Day Preview: Flyers vs. Avalanche
Will fans hear "the Squirtle saxophone song" blasting from the locker room again?
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports - Game Day Preview: Flyers vs. AvalancheThe Flyers have given fans plenty of things to be excited about since 2024 began.
A rocky stretch of games to end 2023 and start the new year had people wondering if the Flyers' surprisingly good start to the season was just a fluke. They've proven that it hasn't been.
The orange and black are coming into this game off of a commanding 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars, holding one of the most productive offenses in the league currently to just 16 shots over the entire 60 minutes. The highlight of the night was unquestionably Owen Tippett's 'spin-o-rama' goal, which left viewers with their jaws still on the floor.
Most importantly, the Flyers are enjoying excellent performances from many players on the team. Morgan Frost has been a particularly effective presence, generating incredible amounts of offense whenever he's on the ice. Cam Atkinson has also been enjoying a return to form after a lengthy goal drought, while Travis Konecny and Joel Farabee continue to impress when they work together on the ice. On defense, Jamie Drysdale has been adapting well to his new defensive system, making it look like he's been a part of this Flyers team for more than just two weeks. Both Sam Ersson and Carter Hart have been putting in nothing but great goaltending, but Ersson in particular has been standing on his head, even generating some discussions over Calder Trophy contention.
The Colorado Avalanche will be finishing a five-game road trip at the Wells Fargo Center, coming in with a 2-2 record. The Flyers were the victors of these teams' previous matchup in Denver, which ended 5-2. In the Avs' most recent game, they lost by that same scoreline to the Boston Bruins, after falling behind early and having a comeback attempt fall short. However, they can't be counted out with heavyweights like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in their lineup.
It will be an entertaining game nonetheless, as the Flyers will take every opportunity to keep building up "the wagon" and maybe even making "the Squirtle saxophone song" the new victory anthem, a la "Dreams and Nightmares" or "Dancing On My Own." A fitting song choice for a team that's just playing really fun hockey at the moment.
Flyers Projected Lines:
Forwards:
Tippett - Couturier - Konecny
Farabee - Frost - Atkinson
Foerster - Laughton - Hathaway
Poehling - Cates - Brink
Defense:
Sanheim - Drysdale
Seeler - Walker
York - Ristolainen
Hart
Avalanche Projected Lines:
Forwards:
Drouin - MacKinnon - Rantanen
MacDermid* - Colton - O'Connor
Wood - Johansen - Kiviranta
Cogliano - Olofsson - Polin
Defense:
Toews - Makar
Girard - Malinski*
Johnson - Manson
Georgiev
*Could be replaced by Artturi Lehkonen (F) and/or Bowen Byram (D) if either player returns from injury, as they are expected to do any day now