The Flyers (4-2-1) have a different combination of defenders for a third consecutive game when they play the Devils again on Thursday (3-2-1).
Let’s discuss this and more essentials for the game:
- When: 19:00 ET with The Warm Up at 18:00 ET and Flyers Pregame Live at 18:15 ET
- Where: Care Center
- Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the NBC Sports MyTeams App
• The air began to fall on Flyers fans for the 11th time this season (sarcasm) Athletics’ Michael Russo reports that 34-year-old Nate Prosser will be performing in the series tonight.
Maybe it’s an early time to send messages for some Flyers defenders. Head coach Alain Vigneault gave Erik Gustafsson a healthy scratch on Tuesday night and he challenged Mark Friedman to give him more since the so-so training camp of the 25-year-old.
If they are healthy, the Flyers will have a competitive picture on the blue line in a shortened 56-game regular season. If you do not act, Vigneault’s leash may not be long for some. He will make adjustments. He has never been shy about challenging his players.
Friedman and Robert Hagg will be healthy scratches tonight if Prosser and Gustafsson perform in the series.
Thursday is Prosser’s first NHL game since January 17, 2019. He trained with the main group on Wednesday and was recalled to the taxi team on Thursday.
“I’ve loved Prosser since the start of training camp,” Vigneault said Thursday in his predictive media availability. “He’s an experienced player, a veteran player, he’s had quite a few NHL games and 25 playoffs. So he brings experience, he knows the game and at the moment I believe he deserves an opportunity to play.”
The 25-year-old Hagg has played in all seven Flyers games this season. He was consistent and effective during the series of the 2019-20 season. Over the past five games, Hagg has had a worst minus-4 rating, as the Flyers allowed 3.80 goals per game.
“I think Haggs has been averaging the last few games,” Vigneault said. “According to my estimate, and I talked to Haggs yesterday about his game, I believe he can be a much more effective defender in killing plays and in his 1-on-1 fights, and can win more. And the can make right decision with the shooter., I talked to him about it and played the higher percentage. He’s a good player, he’s a good defender for us. At the moment his game is not where it should be and it’s up to me and him to work together to get his game where he can be in the series and help this team win a few games. ‘
The Flyers played 11 rookies this past season and built a solid youth movement. Prosser’s Flyers debut shows that the current prospect at the back is not ideal. Nor is it the end of the world as a veteran serving as the sixth defender in Game 8 of the season, especially with Philippe Myers due to a broken rib.
• Carter Hart is back in the net for the Flyers after a rough duel in Boston.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper was not yet sharp. He made a similar start last season.
Hart has gotten a lot of shots so far, but he is also 2-1-0 with a 1.98 goals to average and 0.922 saves in his career against New Jersey.
• James van Riemsdyk is equal to John Tavares for the NHL’s lead in powerplays by four.
He had a couple of man-lead goals on Tuesday during the diversion in the Flyers’ 5-3 win over the Devils.
“Riemer is one of the best net front guys in the league,” Ivan Provorov, who assisted both goals, said Wednesday. “Even in practice, if you ever watch practice, he tips almost every puck you shoot.”
Projected setup
Forwards
James van Riemsdyk-Kevin Hayes-Jakub Voracek
Claude Giroux-Nolan Patrick-Travis Konecny
Oskar Lindblom-Scott Laughton-Joel Farabee
Michael Raffl-Connor Bunnaman-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Defenders
Ivan Provorov-Shayne Gostisbehere
Travis Sanheim-Justin Braun
Erik Gustafsson-Nate Prosser
Goal kicks
Carter Hart
Brian Elliott
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