On Military Appreciation Night presented by Toyota, John Tortorella’s Philadelphia Flyers (5-8-2) will host Ryan Warsofsky’s San Jose Sharks (5-9-2) at the iconic Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Fans can anticipate the puck drop at 7:00 p.m. EST, promising an exciting evening of hockey.
The game will be broadcasted live on NBC Sports Philadelphia, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action. Additionally, local radio enthusiasts can tune in on 97.5 The Fanatic, while an online simulcast is available on Flyers Radio 24/7, enhancing accessibility for all supporters.
This matchup marks the first of two meetings this season between the Flyers and Sharks, with a rematch scheduled on New Year’s Eve at the Sharks’ SAP Center. Both teams will be eager to establish dominance in this early-season clash.
The Flyers enter this game with momentum despite a narrow 4-3 (2-1) shootout loss to the Florida Panthers in Sunrise last Saturday. This game was noted for showcasing one of Philadelphia’s most cohesive performances, demonstrating significant promise over 60-plus minutes of play.
Samuel Ersson stood tall in goal, stopping 28 of 31 shots during regulation. Though he faced a challenging shootout, recording a 3-for-5 rate, his overall performance was commendable and provided a solid foundation for the team’s future games.
Here are five key aspects to monitor during Monday’s game.
1. Laughton line building chemistry
In recent games, the spotlight has shone on the impressive individual performances of players like Tippett, Travis Konecny, and Farabee. However, for Monday’s matchup, all eyes should be on his line alongside Scott Laughton and Bobby Brink as they aim to enhance their offensive synergy.
It is crucial for the Flyers to generate more offensive momentum at five-on-five play beyond the top line spearheaded by Sean Couturier, with Tippett and Konecny. Recently, the trio of Farabee, Laughton, and Brink has been effective in creating scoring opportunities, indicating a positive trend for the Flyers.
3. Sustain improved puck movement
An encouraging trend noted in the recent road games against Tampa Bay and Florida was the Flyers’ enhanced breakouts, entry strategies, and forechecking pressure during five-on-five play. The rookie defenseman Emil Andrae has been a significant asset, helping the team initiate fast-paced attacks.
As the Flyers await the return of Cam York from injured reserve, the current pairing of Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale may undergo reconfiguration. Regardless of how the pairings are arranged, Sanheim and Drysdale are essential for facilitating breakouts and reinforcing the attack within the offensive zone.
4. Power play reset
Initially, the Flyers’ power play served as a major contributor to the team’s offensive output, accounting for a significant portion of the production during the first eight games of the season.
However, the power play has since cooled considerably. As the team heads into the game against San Jose, they find themselves in a precarious situation with a dismal 1-for-18 performance on the man advantage in recent outings. Comprehensive adjustments are crucial for a turnaround.
Meanwhile, the Flyers’ penalty kill unit has demonstrated remarkable consistency, ranking third in the NHL with an impressive 89.8 percent success rate. Last season, the Sharks struggled when facing the Flyers’ penalty killing unit, securing only three power play goals against them throughout the entire season.
5. Behind enemy lines: San Jose Sharks
The Sharks currently hold a 2-5-1 record on the road and boast a recent 5-5-0 record over their last ten gaming sessions. As they navigate through the second leg of a four-game eastern road trip, San Jose is fresh off a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the New Jersey Devils in Newark.
Mikael Granlund leads the Sharks in offensive production, accumulating 16 points across 16 games played. With this match-up set to unfold, anticipation lingers as the Sharks are expected to deploy Vitek Vanecek as their goaltender, given Mackenzie Blackwood’s heavy workload against the Devils.
**Interview with Flyers Analyst Mark Ryan Ahead of Military Appreciation Night**
**Editor:** Good evening, Mark! With Military Appreciation Night approaching, the Philadelphia Flyers are set to face the San Jose Sharks. What’s the atmosphere like leading up to this game at the Wells Fargo Center?
**Mark Ryan:** Good evening! The atmosphere is buzzing, as it always is for Military Appreciation Night. Fans are excited to both honor our military and see some competitive hockey. It’s a special event that brings the community together, and there’s an added electric feel when the puck drops tonight.
**Editor:** The Flyers and Sharks are pretty close in the standings. What should fans expect from this matchup?
**Mark Ryan:** Definitely, both teams have had their struggles but showed flashes of potential. The Flyers are looking to build on their recent performance against the Panthers, despite the shootout loss. It’s about finding consistency and capitalizing on scoring chances. For the Sharks, they’ll be eager to claw back and gain some momentum as well. It’s an important early-season battle that could influence both teams moving forward.
**Editor:** Samuel Ersson’s performance in the last game was a highlight, especially with his considerable saves. What do you think he needs to do to maintain that form tonight?
**Mark Ryan:** Ersson has shown resilience and poise, which is crucial for a young goalie. Tonight, he needs to stay focused and handle the pressure well. The key will be minimizing rebounds and establishing confidence early. If he can make those critical saves, it will set a strong tone for the rest of the team.
**Editor:** Speaking of the team, one area to watch is the Laughton line. What are your thoughts on their potential impact in this game?
**Mark Ryan:** I’m really looking forward to seeing how Laughton, Farabee, and Brink develop their chemistry. If they can enhance their offensive play at five-on-five, that’ll relieve pressure off more prominent lines. They’ve shown promise in generating scoring chances, and tonight could be an opportunity to shine. If they click, it could be a game-changer.
**Editor:** Plus, the Flyers seem to be improving in puck movement. How crucial is that for their success against the Sharks?
**Mark Ryan:** Puck movement is everything. When the team can move the puck efficiently, it opens up the ice and creates offensive opportunities. Especially against a team like the Sharks, who can capitalize on mistakes, maintaining that puck control and breakout efficiency will be vital. Rookie Emil Andrae’s contributions have been significant, and if they can sustain that momentum, they could dominate the play.
**Editor:** Thanks for sharing your insights, Mark! Any final thoughts as we get ready for tonight’s game?
**Mark Ryan:** Just that it’s a perfect night for hockey, and it’s an important one not just for the teams but for honoring our military. I expect a competitive game, and if the Flyers can execute their game plan, they have a great shot at coming out on top. Let’s go Flyers!
**Editor:** Thanks, Mark! Enjoy the game!
