Flyers

Flyers-Panthers: Game 4 Preview

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

Published23 Oct 2021

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Panthers: Game 4 Preview

The Flyers had an early-season test against Boston on Wednesday and came away victorious with a three-goal third period. With one game remaining on a season-opening four-game homestand, the Flyers face another test against another team of to an incredibly hot start.

The undefeated Florida Panthers bring their 4-0-0 record into Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night, as the Flyers look to make it three wins in a row.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Florida Panthers GP G A P
Joel Farabee 3 3 3 6 Carter Verhaeghe 4 3 2 5
Derick Brassard 3 1 4 5 Aleksander Barkov 4 2 3 5
Keith Yandle 3 0 5 5 Sam Bennett 4 4 0 4
Travis Konecny 3 3 1 4 Aaron Ekblad 4 2 2 4
Cam Atkinson 3 3 1 4 Anton Lundell 4 2 2 4

Players To Watch 10-23

Joel Farabee is off to a hot start with three goals, six points and three straight multi-point games to open the season. He could become just the second Flyers player in franchise history to open the season with four straight multi-point games since Orest Kindrachuk in 1977-78.
 
Sam Bennett is off to an equally hot start, picking up four goals in the first four games of the Panthers season, leading the team so far. Bennett had a goal in Florida's win over Colorado on Thursday and had a hat trick last Saturday.
 
Goalie Matchup 10-23

Carter Hart is back in goal for Saturday's game and looking to build on Monday's strong performance. Hart finished with 23 saves on 24 shots in the 6-1 win over Seattle. 

Sergei Bobrovsky is off to a strong start this season with wins in his first three games. After allowing four goals in his season debut, Bobrovsky has allowed just one goal in each of his last two starts, including a 30-save performance on. Thursday night. Bobrovsky also has a 15-5-1 record with a 2.29 GAA in his career against the Flyers.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Line Combos 10-23

Flyers Scratches: Ryan Ellis (injury), Patrick Brown (healthy)

Opponent Line Combos 10-23

Panthers Scratches: Markus Nutivaara (injury), Olli Juolevi (injury), Joe Thornton (healthy), Ryan Lomberg (healthy)

Lineup Notes

  • Flyers: The Flyers were dealt a big blow to the lineup for Saturday's game with Ryan Ellis being unavailable due to injury. While it's not believed to be serious, losing the top-pairing defenseman ahead of an early-season test like this certainly doesn't help.
  • Panthers: The Panthers are making no changes to the lineup from their previous game on Thursday.  

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (2nd), Panthers (26th)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (17th), Panthers (11th)
  • Recent History vs. Panthers
    • Feb. 13, 2020 – Flyers 6, Panthers 2 (at FLA)
    • Feb. 10, 2020 – Flyers 4, Panthers 1 (at PHI)
    • Nov. 19, 2019 – Panthers 5, Flyers 2 (at FLA)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Panthers
    • Cam Atkinson – 27 GP, 9 G, 10 A, 19 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 32 GP, 10 G, 12 A, 22 P
    • Keith Yandle – 12 GP, 0 G, 8 A, 8 P
    • Claude Giroux – 40 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 P
    • Carter Hart – 4 GP, 2-2-0, 2.58 GAA, .920 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Rasmus Ristolainen needs one assist to reach 200 for his career.
    • Travis Konecny needs three goals to reach 100 for his career.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network