Preview: Flyers Visit Kings With a Vengeance

The Philadelphia Flyers (16-16-4) started their Disney On Ice trip with a win against the Anaheim Ducks with a 3-1 regulation final on Saturday. Despite the hype, it was largely a strange game. It looked like two teams playing against themselves, with one arising to the challenge because their club is attempting to be competitive. Samuel Ersson, the Flyers’ presumed starting goaltender, also looked strong in net.

It was a much-needed win after experiencing a brutal 7-3 beatdown on Monday against their in-state foes, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Noah Cates continued his positive play, scoring in his 5th straight game. The line of Cates, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink has been on fire. One player, to some people’s surprise, received high praise from their head coach. John Tortorella has been impressed with Brink and acknowledged his hard work.

“Bobby Brink has taken so much shit from me the past couple years. Right now, he’s impressed me as far as, not just the stuff you guys see, but just how he handles himself.” – John Tortorella; 12/27/2024

Both teams are entering tonight’s game on the back end of a back-to-back. The Los Angeles Kings beat Edmonton at home in overtime Saturday night. After Tanner Jeannot tied the game at 3-3 on a beautiful passing sequence, Quinton Byfield scored the game winning goal, and notched his second goal on the night. 20 minutes down the road, Morgan Frost scored the game-winning goal for the Flyers after beating a defenseman and throwing the puck on net. Joel Farabee, who recently shaved his head in light of his offensive woes, buried the empty-netter that sealed the game after a beautiful strip at the blue line.

When: 12/29/24; 9:00pm/ET
Where: Crypto.com Arena; Los Angeles, CA
Broadcast Info: NBC Sports Philadelphia; Flyers Radio 24/7
Last Game PHI: 12/28/24; 3-1 W; at Anaheim Ducks
Last Game LAK: 12/28/24; 4-3 W (OT); vs. Edmonton Oilers

Philadelphia Flyers

Aleksei Kolosov will likely receive the nod to start in net tonight. After a strong win against the Detroit Red Wings two weeks ago, his inconsistent play continued to pop up. If the Flyers want vengeance, they will need the better version of Kolosov tonight. The Kings strolled down broad street for a 7-3 win at the Wells Fargo 10 days ago. To the Flyers credit, they were able to keep the game even through two periods. Just two minutes into the third period, the Kings scored on a tip-in directly off of a faceoff win in the Flyers’ zone. Their next goal was due to a defensive breakdown by multiple players off the rush.

Tonight, the Flyers aim to even the season series, hopefully with Matvei Michkov finding his game. Michkov has struggled offensively over the last few weeks. He was then stapled to the bench for the third period of yesterday’s game. The Flyers are also on a road trip. The last time this happened, a trip to the press box ensued, and fans wondered after yesterday if he would be scratched tonight. Tortorella confirmed that Michkov is back in, but whether or not you agree that Michkov should be benched is up to you, and let’s not be surprised if Matvei sits if he struggles again tonight. If he does sit out at some point, expect Olle Lycksell to draw back into the lineup.

Projected Lineup: Philadelphia Flyers

#21 Scott Laughton – #14 Sean Couturier – #11 Travis Konecny

#74 Owen Tippett – #48 Morgan Frost – #39 Matvei Michkov

#71 Tyson Foerster – #27 Noah Cates – #10 Bobby Brink

#86 Joel Farabee – #25 Ryan Poehling – #19 Garnet Hathaway

#6 Travis Sanheim – #8 Cam York

#5 Egor Zamula – #55 Rasmus Ristolainen

#9 Jamie Drysdale – #24 Nick Sealer

#35 Aleksei Kolosov

(#33 Sam Ersson)

Projected Lineup: Los Angeles Kings

#15 Alex Turcotte – #11 Anže Kopitar – #9 Adrian Kempe

#22 Kevin Fiala – #24 Phillip Danault – #14 Alex Laferriere

#37 Warren Foegele – #55 Quinton Byfield – #10 Tanner Jeannot

#7 Kyle Burroughs – #79 Samuel Helenius – #26 Akil Thomas

#44 Mikey Anderson – #84 Vladislav Gavrikov

#6 Joel Edmundson – #92 Brandt Clarke

#43 Jacob Moverare – #21 Jordan Spence

#31 David Rittich

(#35 Darcy Kuemper)