Flyers

Flyers vs. Panthers Preview: Facing the Gauntlet

By
Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published07 Mar 2024

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Flyers Panthers

Wednesday was an already eventful day for the Flyers. They traded Sean Walker to the Colorado Avalanche and placed Nick Seeler on IR before signing him to a four-year contract extension.

With most of their trade deadline business handled, the focus shifts to the start of a 10-game stretch that will define the Flyers status as a potential playoff team. It starts with the NHL’s league leader, the Florida Panthers.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Florida Panthers GP G A P
Travis Konecny 57 27 27 54 Sam Reinhart 63 45 30 75
Joel Farabee 63 18 27 45 Matthew Tkachuk 62 21 50 71
Owen Tippett 59 22 16 38 Carter Verhaeghe 63 30 34 64
Travis Sanheim 62 8 29 37 Aleksander Barkov 57 15 47 62
Sean Couturier 59 11 24 35 Evan Rodrigues 63 10 26 36

Flyers Panthers Players to Watch

Joel Farabee has struggled to produce points of late, but will be needed to help power the offense during this challenging run. Farabee has just one goal in the last 16 games. He also has five assists in that time.

Sam Reinhart has been leading the way for the Panthers offense. In the last four games, Reinhart has six goals, including a pair of multi-goal games, following up a seven-game goalless drought.

Flyers Panthers Goalie Matchup

Sam Ersson gets the start for the Flyers. Ersson made 24 saves on 25 shots in a shootout loss to the Blues on Monday. Ersson also made 20 saves on 21 shots in a win over the Panthers on Feb. 6.

Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start for the Panthers. Bobrovsky made 26 saves on 28 shots in a win over the Rangers on Monday night in his last start. That marked three straight wins for Bobrovsky. He has allowed two goals or fewer in 11 straight starts.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Lines

Flyers Scratches: Jamie Drysdale (injury), Rasmus Ristolainen (injury), Travis Konecny (injury), Nick Seeler (injury), Olle Lycksell (healthy)

Panthers Lines

Panthers Scratches: Josh Mahura (healthy), Steven Lorentz (healthy), William Lockwood (healthy), Jonah Gadkovich (healthy)

Lineup Notes

  • Flyers: With Sean Walker traded and Nick Seeler out with injury, Ronnie Attard and Adam Ginning will make their season debuts. Travis Konecny is on the trip and participated in Wednesday’s practice in a regular jersey, so there’s a chance he could return.
  • Panthers: Vladimir Tarasenko makes his debut with the Panthers after being acquired on Wednesday.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (12.9% – 32nd), Panthers (26.5% – 5th)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (86.5% – 1st), Panthers (81.9% – 7th)
  • Recent History vs. Panthers
    • Feb. 6, 2024 – Flyers 2, Panthers 1 (at FLA)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Panthers 
    • Cam Atkinson: 31 GP, 11 G, 10 A, 21 P
    • Travis Konecny: 17 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 13 P
    • Sean Couturier: 30 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 P
    • Sam Ersson: 1 GP, 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .952 SV%
    • Felix Sandstrom: 1 GP, 0-1-0, 4.32 GAA, .889 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Joel Farabee needs one assist to reach 100 for his career.
    • Sean Couturier needs five points to reach 500 for his career.

Where to Watch

  • TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
  • Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network