Flyers face tall task, host reigning Cup champion Avalanche

After testing the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers’ matchup tonight at the Wells Fargo Center is as tough. They’ll host the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche.

In their most recent tilt, on March 25th, 2022, the Avalanche defeated the Flyers, 6-3.

Colorado Avalanche (13-8-1)

Middling in the NHL standings, the Avalanche are battling injuries but holding onto fourth in the Central Division. Tonight will be the end of a four-game road trip, which included a recent 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

Colorado averages 3.32 goals per game, scoring seven in their last two. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen lead a dangerous offense, combining for 66pts (22G, 44A) on the first line. Jared Bednar will split up MacKinnon and Rantanen tonight, giving Charles Hudon an opportunity to play on the line with Rantanen and Alex Newhook.

MacKinnon (8G, 25A) is scoring at a projected 123pts pace. He’s a superstar talent, problematic for any opponent.

Cale Makar (+2, 35BLK, 17TK, 54.3%CF) is the reigning Norris and Conn Smythe Trophy recipient. Makar will create all kinds of scoring chances because of his puck-handling, showcasing the playmaking abilities that made him the quickest defenseman to reach 200pts in NHL history.

Here’s the tentative lineup for the Avalanche:

Galchenyuk-MacKinnon-Kaut
Hudon-Newhook-Rantanen
Cogliano-Compher-O’Connor
Hunt-Megna-Blidh

Toews-Makar
Girard-Johnson
MacDonald-Englund

Georgiev
(Francouz)

Philadelphia Flyers (8-12-5)

In a game they should have won, but didn’t, the Flyers proved that their work ethic can hold its own after mostly outplaying the Devils. Philadelphia outshot New Jersey, 33-18, and will need to pressure the Avalanche tonight.

Travis Konecny (9G, 12A) scored twice in as many games since returning to the lineup last Thursday. Second in scoring on the Flyers, Konecny remains a critical driver on offense.

Joel Farabee (5G, 9A) appeared to tie the game late in the third period against the Devils, but Morgan Frost made contact with Akira Schmid, discounting the goal. Farabee is third on the team in scoring, assigned in the top-six to finish scoring plays.

Here’s the tentative lineup for the Flyers:

Hayes-Cates-Konecny
Laughton-Frost-Farabee
Laczynski-Sedlak-Tippett
Deslauriers-Brown-MacEwen

Provorov-Ristolainen
Sanheim-Braun
Seeler-DeAneglo

Hart
(Sandstrom)

Place Your Bets

Colorado Avalanche moneyline (-205)
Nathan MacKinnon goalscorer (+125)
Travis Konecny goalscorer (+195)

Game Information

You can watch the Philadelphia Flyers host the Colorado Avalanche on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Radio coverage is available on 97.5 the Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)