One of the Flyers' top prospects is getting one last preseason look before final roster cuts are made.
The Philadelphia Flyers will take on the New York Islanders at Wells Fargo Center for their preseason finale Thursday night, and while the Flyers' roster may not be a carbon copy of the eventual opening-night lineup, it sure will be close to it.
Only 26 players remain on the Flyers' training camp roster. The team has until 5 p.m. ET on Monday to trim the reduce the roster to 23. Most of the players suiting up for Thursday night's contest are locks to make the final squad, but as head coach John Tortorella alluded before the game, nothing can be assumed.
Here's everything to know about the Flyers' final game of the preseason.
How to watch
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Roster
Forwards: Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, Garnet Hathaway, Scott Laughton, Ryan Poehling, Noah Cates, Nic Deslauriers, Morgan Frost, Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett, Joel Farabee, Cam Atkinson
Defensemen: Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Marc Staal, Nick Seeler, Sean Walker, Rasmus Ristolainen
Goalies: Carter Hart, Sam Ersson
What to watch for
1. Roster hopeful Tyson Foerster is drawing into the lineup while fellow forward Bobby Brink sits. Foerster and Brink have been battling for a full-time NHL role all preseason, and Foerster is getting another crack at proving he belongs with the Flyers to start the regular season. Brink has been more noticeable of late, but Foerster was very impressive in his eight-game stint with the Flyers last season. Head coach John Tortorella emphasized that Thursday night's roster may not be identical to the one he ices for the season opener, so don't assume Foerster is a lock just yet.
2. Goaltender Carter Hart will get the start with Sam Ersson serving as his backup. Ersson was named the Flyers' No. 2 goalie Wednesday after battling Felix Sandstrom and Cal Petersen for the job during camp. Hart is expected to play the full game Thursday night, so Ersson likely won't see any action.
3. Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson have both looked noticeably more comfortable after making their long-awaited returns to the lineup early in the preseason. Atkinson missed all of last season due to a neck injury while a pair of back surgeries kept Couturier out of action for nearly two years. The veteran forwards will be heavily relied upon throughout the campaign, and Thursday night will provide another opportunity for them to knock of excess rust ahead of the opener.