Flyers test four-game win streak, host Maple Leafs

The Philadelphia Flyers test their four-game winning streak when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7pm.

Lately, the Flyers are stringing together victories. They defeated the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks on the road before bringing the energy home versus the Arizona Coyotes.

Already, Philadelphia lost to the Maple Leafs twice this season in 2022. Tonight, they’re hoping 2023 brings a different fortune. Carter Hart (11-11-6, 2.86GAA, 91.1%SV) will start on home ice versus Matt Murray (9-4-2, 2.61GAA, 91.3%SV).

Toronto Maple Leafs (24-9-7)

Toronto is in the middle of its most disruptive stretch since the end of October 2022. In their last five games, they’re 2-2-1.

Here’s the tentative lineup for the Maple Leafs:

Bunting-Matthews-Nylander
Jarnkrok-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-Kampf-Engvall
Aston Reese-Holmberg-Hunt

Rielly-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Sandin-Liljegren

Murray
(Samsonov)

John Tavares (18G, 19A) scored two goals, including the game-winner versus the Detroit Red Wings. He’s as good as he’s ever been in his fourteen-year career. In two previous games this season versus the Flyers, Tavares tallied five points, including a hat trick on November 2nd, 2022. Of those points, three (1G, 2A) were on the powerplay.

Morgan Rielly (-2, 31BLK, 23GV, 55.7%CF) notched an assist on a game-tying powerplay goal versus the Red Wings. Reilly tallied two points, both assists, versus Philadelphia this season. Tavares finished the scoring play, once on the powerplay and another even strength, on each of Rielly’s assists.

Philadelphia Flyers (15-7-7)

The Flyers are riding their longest winning streak this season. The current 4-1-0 trend is the best since the first five games of 2022-2023.

Here’s the tentative lineup for Philadelphia, per Charlie O’Connor:

van Riemsdyk-Frost-Tippett
Farabee-Cates, N-Konecny
Hayes-Laughton-Allison
Deslauriers-Brown-MacEwen

Provorov-York
Sanheim-DeAngelo
Seeler-Ristolainen

Hart
(Ersson)

Kevin Hayes (10G, 25A) was electric on three straight scoring plays versus the Coyotes. Hayes totaled three points (1G, 2A) on the points run, including a powerplay goal. Named to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game during the victory, he’s fulfilling an accolade his late brother hoped for.

“It’s a cool situation for me because, not to get emotional, it’s probably the only thing my brother, since he stopped playing hockey wanted me to accomplish. I never honestly thought it would happen. It did, and it’s cool.”

Kevin Hayes; 1/5/2023

Tony DeAngelo (-8, 41BLK, 29GV, 49.7%CF) had a powerplay assist versus Arizona. He designed the play himself, working the puck to Travis Konecny:

“I’m not sure who set it up; Rock or Tony. Tony had talked to Rock that he felt he could get open behind them.”

John Tortorella; 1/5/2023

In the December 22nd, 2022 tilt, Hayes and DeAngelo worked in tandem to finesse a powerplay goal against Toronto. They’ll have to make the man advantage count if the opportunity arises because Tavares belongs to a powerplay that ties for eighth in the NHL.

Place Your Bets

Toronto Maple Leafs (-225)
Philadelphia Flyers (+190)
Tavares o.5pts (-150)
Hayes o.5pts (-120)
Rielly o.5pts (-125)
DeAngelo o.5pts (-115)

Game Information

You can watch the Philadelphia Flyers versus Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at 7pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast will be available on 97.5 the Fanatic.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)