Flyers underdogs on the road in Vegas

Ready to compete away from the Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphia Flyers begin a four-game road trip tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.

“Going on the road, in this type of trip, going out west, will be good for our team. We’re playing some really good hockey teams. We’ve been here a while. It’s been enough; five games at home, it’s time to get on the road.”

John Tortorella; 12/7/2022

Winning two of five in their homestand, the Flyers played hard on home ice. They snapped a ten-game losing streak versus the New York Islanders and defeated the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche. Additionally, they contested deep into the third period versus the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals.

Cashing in on opportunities while balancing a more disciplined defense is critical for Philadelphia to compete against tough competition. They’ll have to play as close to perfect as possible.

Tonight, the Golden Knights welcome the Flyers into the T-Mobile Arena. Cam York will make his season debut as Tony DeAngelo slides out of the lineup. Tortorella made it clear he wanted to develop other prospects, leaving Egor Zamula to play tons of minutes with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms while on the road:

“[I’ve] been waiting all year for that call from the coaches. It feels really good, I’m happy to be here, and just want to take full advantage of the opportunity.”

Cam York; 12/9/2022

How will Philadelphia measure up to Vegas?

Vegas Golden Knights (19-8-1)

Atop the Pacific Division, the Golden Knights were on a nine-game winning streak earlier this season. Two nights ago, they tied the New York Rangers through two periods before Mika Zibanejad led the way with three points (2G, 1A) in the third. Tonight, the Flyers must target a struggling penalty kill with their recent-surging powerplay.

Here’s the tentative lineup for Vegas, per Owen Krepps:

Cotter-Stephenson-Stone 
Smith-Karlsson-Marchessault 
Rondbjerg-Roy-Kessel 
Carrier-Leschyshyn-Kolesar 

Martinez-Whitecloud 
McNabb-Theodore 
Hague-Miromanov 

Hill 
(Thompson)

Shea Theodore (+13, 38BLK, 15GV, 58.4%CF) earns the opposing spotlight. Theodore is a playmaking defenseman with five points (1G, 4A) in the last five games. Three of those five points (1G, 2A) took place on the powerplay. If Philadelphia limits penalties, they’ll suppress the damage he can do on the man advantage. However, Theodore is still very talented in even-strength hockey.

Adin Hill (6-2-1, 2.55GAA, 90.8%SV) is the likely goaltender for the Golden Knights. Hill is 1-0-0 versus the Flyers, earning the win last season, 3-2, in overtime with the San Jose Sharks.

Philadelphia Flyers (9-13-5)

Philadelphia is seventh in the Metropolitan Divison, but don’t let their placement in the standings fool you. They’re closely contesting but falling short.

“We’ve been in games pretty much the whole time. We just kill ourselves with mistakes. We had success when we played the right way; simple, chip the puck in and go get it.”

Nicolas Deslauriers; 12/9/2022

Here’s the tentative lineup for the Flyers:

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

Provorov-Ristolainen 
Sanheim-Braun 
York-Seeler 

Hart 
(Sandstrom) 

Kevin Hayes (9G, 19A) moves back from the wing to center on the first line. Hayes is buzzing with six points (3G, 3A) in the last five games. He was responsible for the powerplay goal in the 4-1 loss to the Capitals. Philadelphia must remain opportunistic on the powerplay, especially against the 25th-ranked Vegas penalty kill.

Owen Tippett (7G, 4A) needs to find his spark. He scored on the powerplay versus the Avalanche and is another option to help the Flyers with the extra attacker. Tippett will be on the second powerplay unit, where he accompanies a solid specialist in James van Riemsdyk.

Place Your Bets

Philadelphia Flyers moneyline (+210) 
Shea Theodore o.5pts (-155) 
Kevin Hayes o.5pts (-145) 
Owen Tippett anytime goal (+320) 

Game Information

You can watch the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Vegas Golden Knights on NBC Sports Philadelphia at 10pm. The radio broadcast will be available on 93.3 WMMR.

(Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)