NHL
Panthers travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers.
Florida is looking to bounce back from their three game skid as they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers. Last season, the Panthers had the upper hand against them as they were 2-1-0 against them. In addition, they might be looking for revenge from last season as the Panthers trailed by one point behind the Flyers for a playoff spot.
Tale of the Tape
Florida (0-2-1)
Florida is coming off of yet another heart breaking loss to the Canucks 3-2. In addition, they are going to be without defenseman Mike Matheson. He is suspended for two games after his hit on Canucks forward Elias Pettersson on Saturday. As a result, defenseman Mackenzie Weegar will be making his season debut.
If the Cats want to end their loosing streak, they need to focus on their third period game and their power play. Florida is tied for the league worst in the power play department with 0 for 12 on the man advantage, in addition to allowing one shorthanded goal. In the third period, the Panthers have yet to score and currently owns a -4 goal differential.
However, they may have to do it without Nick Bjugstad.
Philadelphia (2-3-0)
The Flyers are coming off of getting blanked by the Golden Knights 1-0. However, do not let this game fool you. The Flyers went into Ottawa and smacked down the Senators 7-4 on Wednesday.
Jakub Voracek currently leads the team in scoring with eight points. In addition, look for his line mates in captain Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier to get on the score sheet. Additionally, the Flyers are 15th in the NHL on the power play with a 22.7 conversion percentage. Look for them to gash the 25th ranked penalty kill for Florida.
However, they will have to do it without Nolan Patrick for this game. Despite this, the Flyers still have a ton of offensive strength.
Injuries
Florida
Winger Nick Bjugstad is considered day-to-day with an upper body injury. He is a game-time decision for the game Tuesday. If he his unable to play, winger Frank Vatrano will plug into the lineup.
Goaltender Roberto Luongo is still out with a sprain.
Center Derek Mackenzie is still out with an upper body injury.
Winger Jaime McGinn is still recovering from back surgery.
Winger Michael Haley will be out indefinitely due to personal problems.
Philadelphia
Center Nolan Patrick will be out 7-10 days with an upper body injury.
Goaltender Michal Neuvirth is out with a groin injury.
Winger James Van Riemsdyk will be out 5-6 weeks with a lower body injury.
Projected Lineups (according to NHL.com)
Florida
L1: Evgenii Dadonov-Aleksander Barkov-Nick Bjugstad
L2: Johnathan Huberdeau-Vincent Trocheck-Mike Hoffman
L3: Troy Brouwer-Jared McCann-Denis Malgin
L4: Maxim Mamin-Juho Lammiko-Colton Scevior
D1: Keith Yandle-Aaron Ekblad
D2: Mark Pysyk-Alexander Petrovic
D3: Bogdan Kiselevich-Mackezie Weegar
G1: James Reimer
G2: Michael Hutchinson
Scratches: Frank Vatrano
Philadelphia
L1: Claude Giroux-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek
L2: Oskar Lindbolm-Jordan Weal-Travis Konecny
L3: Scott Laughton-Mikhail Vorobyev-Wayne Simmonds
L4: Michael Raffl-Jori Lehtera-Dale Weise
D1: Ivan Provorov-Shayne Gostisbehere
D2: Robert Hagg-Andrew MacDonald
D3: Travis Sanheim-Radko Gudas
G1: Brian Elliot
G2: Calvin Pickard
Scratches: Christian Folin, Corban Knight
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Photo Credit
Photo Courtesy of Litterbox Cats
