It’s hard to win hockey games and a 56-game season stresses that point even more. Still with 5 players on the COVID-19 heath and safety protocol list (Giroux, Konecny, Braun, Lindblom, Laughton with Morgan Frost being taken off the list on Feb. 19th), a Couturier led, depleted lineup, look to take 2 points tonight versus the Boston Bruins at Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe

As of right now, the game is set to 7:30. The Flyers posted an interview with coach AV on twitter with AV saying towards the end, “The game was originally supposed to be set at 4:30 (7:30 Eastern) tonight, they’ve (the NHL) already told us to expect it to be a little bit later.”

The game between the Avalanche and Vegas got pushed back to 12:00 eastern time due to ice conditions that caused play to stop. However the ice deals with that today, will determine what time we start. AV described the environment today in a video that the Flyers posted on Twitter.

With the temperatures, I’m definitely expecting the game to be delayed even more into the night.

Lineup

Flyers decided to go with 11 forwards and 7 defenseman with Mark Friedman (D) playing a little forward and defense tonight.

My best bet is you see something like this:

JVR – Couturier – Farabee

This line finished with 2 points versus the Rangers on Thursday night. Farabee scored the game-tying goal in the 3rd period, with Couturier assisting on that goal. You could say spread JVR and Farabee (who are #1 and #2 on the team on points) throughout the rest of the line-up to give it balance. But JVR and Farabee have something together so why not put them with the Selke winner?

Raffl – Hayes – NAK

This line was good as well, totaling 4 points. NAK scored in the first period assisted by Raffl and Hayes. Hayes added in another assist later in the third period, cashing in a primary assist on the Farabee goal. Loved the way NAK was playing. Skating hard, forechecking hard and finishing his checks. Raffl is the swiss army knife of hockey players, he can play anywhere in the lineup. Hayes has 4 points in his last 4 games, looking out for Hayes goal tonight.

Bunnaman – Patrick – Sushko

Kase is coming out with Friedman playing a little bit of both offense and defense. Friedman’s not getting third line minutes and I don’t think AV wants to bump up Morin, considering he’s done nothing on the ice to warrant that. Really didn’t think Kase was going to be the one coming out, considering he was one of the better Flyers Thursday vs New York (I know that’s not saying much).

Sushko only had 5:55 minutes of ice time Thursday night, hinting at the fact that maybe AV wasn’t loving his game. AV may want the heavier body in Sushko for a heavier matchup against a team like Boston. Sushko moves up and gets to play with line mates that have more skill so maybe we can see more out of him.

Morin – Andreoff – Friedman

Yeah, this is where missing those players on protocol really becomes obvious. Our depth is good but not missing 4 huge active pieces of our forward group good. Morin tried to throw down his gloves but the broadcast quickly cut too commercial. Morin wasn’t handed a penalty for instigating, so that was fun. Honestly not expecting much from this line. Anything that come is a bonus. Maybe get into a fight, Morin? Something?

Defense stays the same for the most part. Provorov – Myers, Sanheim – Ghost, Hagg – Gustafsson.

Cater Hart will get the start in net.

Zayde Wisdom is pretty good, huh?

Are you kidding me with this kid? I just wrote about Zayde a week ago and I couldn’t wait to hop back on the keyboard and write about him again. Two more goals for the 4th round pick (94th overall) in 2020.

The first goal of the night was another “dirty area” kind of goal. The kid just finds the soft spots in the defense and exploits it. Great play by Fitzgerald to protect that puck and center it for a dangerous chance. Cal O’Reilly put it on net and #14 is right there to finish it.

The second goal of the net was so, so pretty. The Phantoms were on the power play and Wisdom is in the bumper spot watching the puck and tracking the play. Love how he sets himself up for a play to be made by every player that touches the puck before him.

Point man gets the puck and Wisdom sets up for a deflection. O’Reilly gets it on the right wall and Wisdom quickly shifts himself from a deflecting position to a one time/snapshot position. Would’ve had to get it under or over the defenders stick but would’ve been a nice chance. O’Reilly decided to get it down to Fitzgerald, who’s behind the net. Wisdom sets himself right up for Fitzgerald, finding that soft spot in the defense again, and pots it. Wisdom does a really good job in general of creating space for himself and making himself visible for his teammates to find.

4G-1A for 5P in 4 games.

It’s only been 4 games for the 18-year old but man, this is fun to watch. Wisdom had 29 goals for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL in 19-20, so scoring isn’t really new to him. Being 18 years old and playing this well in a professional league, certainly is. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Wisdom but man it looks like the Flyers found another late-round steal in the 2020 draft (Desnoyers 135th overall).

Feel like this explains Wisdoms game really well. Quick little points to look for when you watch Wisdom the next time as a Phantom or Flyer. Who knows?

That guy Ted recaps Wisdom’s play perfectly:

Quick Thoughts

• Carter Hart is going to have to be really good tonight if the Flyers want to win
• Flyers prospect Emil Andrae recorded an assist and scored the shootout winner today. Has 2G-1A in 7 games with this new team (Vasterviks IK)
• Feeling a goal from somebody who doesn’t usually score goals tonight or is new. (Hagg, Andreoff, Morin or Sushko), somebody!
• Max Willman scored as well on Saturday. He has 2 points in 4 games.
• Hart stopped 31/33 vs the Rangers in the previous game. Looking at him to steal one here for us.
• Farabee goal tonight
• Go Flyers baby!

Listen to The Liberty Yell

Mandatory Credit: Zach Hill | Philadelphia Flyers