Game Fourteen: Philadelphia Flyers (4-8-1) at Tampa Bay Lightning (7-6-0)
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Amalie Arena
TV/Stream/Radio: ESPN+/Hulu/102.5 FM
Odds: Lightning -205
A couple of scuffling teams meet tonight at Amalie Arena. The Flyers and their two-game losing streak are in Tampa to take on the Lightning and their three-game losing streak. And it’s exclusive to ESPN+ and Hulu!
For the Lightning, the good news is that, at home, they’ve been really, really good. Their 3.18 GF/60 at 5v5 is 6th in the league while their 1.22 GA/60 is 1st. That’s been their key to success on Channelside Drive so far. On the road they’ve scored at about the same level but their goals against is a full two goals higher at 3.38 GA/60. Oof.
No, that’s not the worst in the league, the highest goals-against for away teams belongs to…the Philadelphia Flyers. Over their seven road games they’ve allowed an average of 4.29 goals a night. That’s not going to make John Tortorella happy. Then again, other than dogs, what does make Torts happy?
It hasn’t been all bad for the Flyers as some of their young talent is showing that they are ready for the NHL. Front and center is Calder Trophy contender Matvei Michkov. The 19-year-old Russian has 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in his first 13 NHL games. At this point, his offensive production is keeping him in the line-up. Unfortunately, a lot of that is coming on the power play as he has just one secondary assist at 5v5 and has a 29% goals for percentage. His 47.60 xGF% is better, but still under water.
Offense has been an issue for the Flyers all season long as they are 26th in the league in offense. After overachieving last season and barely missing the playoffs, there has been a bit of a step back so far this year.
Along with an offense that hasn’t been able to outscore their problems, they are having a bit of an identity problem in net. Samuel Ersson has emerged as their number one goalie, accounting for all four wins and posting a 2.68 GAA. Unfortunately he is currently hurt and the duo of Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov has yet to earn even a single, solitary point for the Flyers.
Even with the Flyers struggles, the Lightning can’t just throw their sticks on the ice and hope to win tonight. They have to get back to playing the simple game – make sure pucks get out of the zone and don’t sacrifice defense for offense. It would also help if they can figure out the power play. There was some life on the road trip as they scored three times with the extra skater, but there were still too many failed entries and regrouping in their own zone.
There are some trap game possibilities tonight that the Lightning are going to have to battle. They’re back at home after a road trip, they’re facing a struggling team that they’ve had success against in the past, and are looking at a six-day break following a four-week stretch where they’ve played every other night. Oh, and Brayden Point is still day-to-day. For a team that has lost focus at times over the last few seasons, they are going to have to find a way to up their intensity level to pull out the win.
