Flyers visit the Lightning to close the season series

On Sunday night, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1. After a disappointing trade deadline which saw little movement on Philadelphia’s part, the team responded with a win.

Tonight, the Flyers are back in action against the Tampa Bay Lightning to decide the season series. Tied, 1-1-0, the most recent matchup between the two clubs took place on December 1st, 2022, when the Lightning defeated the Flyers, 4-1.

Tampa Bay Lightning (37-21-5)

Tampa Bay is on a five-game losing streak. Last Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres, head coach Jon Cooper benched forwards Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov in the third period. The Sabres defeated the Lightning, 5-3, and Cooper sent a message to his team noting that he’s not afraid to bench his star players.

On Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes, a needed bounce-back game for the Bolts didn’t come. Carolina dominated Tampa Bay, winning 6-0. The Lightning didn’t register a shot during the entire second period in their blowout loss. An NHL powerhouse, Tampa Bay will be looking to make a statement against Philadelphia.

Tanner Jeannot (5G, 11A) was acquired by Tampa Bay via trade from the Nashville Predators on February 27th. After scoring 24 goals and 41 points with Nashville in 2021-2022, Jeannot has hit a slump this season. Despite a lack of scoring, Jeannot is a physical player and bolsters an already strong and tough bottom six in Tampa Bay.

Victor Hedman will be out of the lineup tonight. Hedman was injured during Sunday’s matchup against the Hurricanes and did not return. He’s only missed three games this season. Erik Cernak (166HIT, 20GV, 42.3%CF) will return to the lineup his absence.

Projected lineup for the Tampa Bay Lightning:

Stamkos-Point-Kucherov
Hagel-Cirelli-Killorn
Colton-Paul-Jeannot
Maroon-Eyssimont-Perry

Sergachev-Perbix
Cole-Cernak
Fleury-Bogosian

Vasilevskiy
(Elliott)

Philadelphia Flyers (24-28-11)

Against Detroit, the Flyers snapped a four-game winless streak. Knowing that the playoffs are not a possibility for the third straight year, several members of the team are playing to prove that they are part of the long-term solution.

Noah Cates (10G, 17A) potted a goal in Sunday’s victory. Against Tampa Bay on October 18, 2022, Cates scored the game-winning goal, leading the Flyers to a 3-2 comeback victory. Cates became one of the favorites for John Tortorella in setting the pace and standard during a game because of his reliable play.

Carter Hart (17-19-10, 2.89GAA, 90.8%SV) shined on Sunday, saving 25/26 shots. He stopped 36/38 against Tampa Bay in the first meeting of the season but struggled in December’s 4-1 loss. Tonight, Hart will be busy against an elite offense that will be ready to end a five-game skid.

Projected lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:

Farabee-Frost-Tippett
van Riemsdyk-Hayes-Allison
Laughton-Cates-Lemieux
Deslauriers-Laczynski-Braun

Provorov-York
Sanheim-Ristolainen
Seeler-DeAngelo

Hart
(Sandstrom)

Place Your Bets

Philadelphia Flyers moneyline (+240)
Tampa Bay Lightning moneyline (-285)
Noah Cates first goalscorer (+2500)
Tanner Jeannot anytime goalscorer (+300)

Game Information

You can watch the Philadelphia Flyers take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast will be available on 97.5 The Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7. The puck drops at 7:00pm.

(Photo Credit/Alex McIntyre)