Flyers Preview: Going For the Season Sweep in Winnipeg

Two games remain in the 2021-2022 season. Pending on the outcome, the Philadelphia Flyers could overtake the third-best odds for the top overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft; they could also fall to the sixth-best odds if they win out.

The Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins but fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in a back-to-back earlier this week. Philadelphia battles the Winnipeg Jets tonight before finishing with the Ottawa Senators on Friday. Based on this season, the remaining games are winnable. The Flyers could complete 2021-2022 on a high note.

A win tonight sweeps the Jets in the season series. Does it adversely affect draft lottery odds? It does, but it also installs confidence in the prospects ahead of 2022-2023.

Winnipeg Jets (36-32-11; 83pts)

Zachary Sanford (undisclosed,) Mark Scheifele (shoulder,) and Cole Perfetti (upper body) will be unavailable. Nate Schmidt could return to the lineup.

Here’s the projected lineup for the Winnipeg Jets:

Connor-Dubois-Harkins
Ehlers-Stastny-Wheeler
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
Brooks-Toninato-Svechnikov

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Dillon-Schmidt

Comrie
(Hellebuyck)

Eric Comrie (8-5-1, 2.72GAA, 91.5%SV) occupied the crease at practice. Previously, he received a loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-2. It’ll be his first matchup versus the Philadelphia Flyers.

Josh Morrissey (53.6%CF, 150HIT, 61GV, -7) is playing career-best hockey. He added an assist to kick off the scoring against the Avalanche, shooting from the blue line with netfront traffic as Adam Lowry collected the deflection. Morrissey keeps the hits coming. Lately, his physicality is driving the top pair.

Philadelphia Flyers (25-44-11; 61pts)

Cam Atkinson (lower body,) Patrick Brown (upper body,) Kevin Connauton (lower body,) Cam York (lower body,) Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body,) Nick Seeler (lower body,) Carter Hart (lower body,) Sean Couturier (back,) and Ryan Ellis (lower body) will be unavailable. York was day-to-day, but Jordan Hall reported that he’s finished for the season.

Here’s the projected lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:

Farabee-Hayes-Brink
van Riemsdyk-Laughton-Konecny
Cates-Frost-Tippett
Lindblom-Thompson-MacEwen

Provorov-Attard
Hogberg-Sanheim
Yandle-Zamula

Sandstrom
(Jones)

Felix Sandstrom (0-3-1, 3.27GAA, 91.4%SV) will start. Recently, he notched a loss against the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-1. Sandstrom faces the Winnipeg Jets for the first time in his career.

Ronnie Attard (49.1%CF, 22HIT, 5TK, -1) had to adapt quickly. Clashes featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals were the “welcome to the NHL” moments. He rebounded in a rematch against the Maple Leafs, finding more confidence. Attard has to do his part in maintaining a disciplined brand of hockey, keeping out of the penalty box.

Props/Predictions

Josh Morrissey o.5PTS (+105)
PHI moneyline (+160)
Correct Score Prediction (+1400): Flyers 4, Jets 3

(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)