Rick Tocchet’s Philadelphia Flyers, with a record of 7-5-1, are set to face off against Andrew Brunette’s Nashville Predators, who are currently 5-6-4, on Thursday evening in Nashville. The Flyers are coming off their first road victory of the season, having edged past the Montreal Canadiens in a shootout with a score of 5-4 on Monday.
This matchup will conclude the two-game interconference season series between the teams. Last Thursday, the Flyers secured a strong 4-1 victory against the Predators at home. Since then, the Flyers have recorded a mixed result of 1-2-0, while the Predators are on a streak of their own with a record of 1-0-2, having recently suffered back-to-back overtime losses to the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild.
The game is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. EST at Bridgestone Arena and will be broadcast on NBCSP.
As the Flyers prepare for this critical game, there are key elements to monitor:
Firstly, the Flyers aim to replicate the successful playing style they showcased against the Canadiens. Tocchet emphasized the need for his players to demonstrate urgency and to seize shooting opportunities. This approach proved effective against Montreal, as the Flyers dominated high-danger chances and significantly outshot their opponents. The challenge now is to bring this level of intensity against the Predators, who tested the Flyers’ resilience during their last encounter.
In the spotlight is Trevor Zegras, who has been a driving force offensively for Philadelphia. Excluding shootout goals, he boasts 10 points in his last six games, showcasing his playmaking abilities and impact on the power play. Zegras leads the Flyers with 15 points overall through the opening 13 games of the season, establishing himself as a key player to watch.
Another player to keep an eye on is Matvei Michkov. Last week against the Predators, he delivered his best performance of the season with standout assists, indicating he may be on the brink of a breakout. Although he faced challenges in subsequent games against Toronto and Calgary, he showed promise in Montreal. A strong performance against Nashville would not only lift his spirits but also enhance the overall team dynamics.
Lastly, maintaining discipline and managing special teams will be crucial for the Flyers. They recently saw their streak of successful penalty kills come to an end, with the Canadiens capitalizing on power plays that impacted the game’s momentum. Despite ranking 14th in power play efficiency, the Flyers’ penalty kill has faced challenges, particularly in terms of shorthanded time. Conversely, the Predators have struggled, ranking 27th in power play efficiency.
As both teams look to gain momentum, the matchup promises to be an intriguing contest, highlighting the ongoing development of young talent and the strategic battle between coaching philosophies. With the Flyers seeking to solidify their road game success, fans can expect an exciting evening of hockey in Nashville.