Summary:
After picking up points in their past five games, Florida is hoping to take this momentum with them into the month of November. Unfortunately, this hot streak has come with some casualties. Barkov, Bergenheim, Bolland, and the red-hot Brandon Pirri, are all listed as day-to-day with Bolland and Pirri both being placed on IR. With holes in the roster, Florida has called up Vincent Trocheck and Rocco Grimaldi from the San Antonio Rampage. Will this injection of youth keep Florida hot? On to the game!
Historical Context:
In 83 games played against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Panthers have 30 Wins, 41 Losses, 7 Ties, and 5 Overtime Losses.. This leaves the team with 72 points and a .34% points percentage. This ranks Philadelphia as the team number 20 out of 29 on the Panthers total win column.
What To Expect:
Florida is calling up a pair of 21-year-old forwards to help them with the barrage of injuries they’ve picked up lately. Vincent Trocheck had 5 goals on 38 shots with 3 assists for a total of 8 points in his 20 games with the team last season. Rocco Grimaldi has yet to play a game in the NHL but was absolutely dominant with the University of North Dakota, scoring 77 points in 86 games. Both players are considered top prospects and will be looking to make a big impact tonight
Know Your Enemy:
Jakub Voracek: Philadelphia’s 1-2 punch of Giroux and Voracek on their top line is extremely deadly. Voracek is currently tied with Tyler Seguin and Sidney Crosby for first place in league scoring. His 15 points (3G/12A for 15p in 10GP) this season will be a test against Florida’s defense and goaltending. Florida needs to prioritize shutting him and Giroux down if they want to pick up a big win tonight.
Expected Line Combinations:
Philadelphia Flyers:
L1: Raffl/Giroux/Voracek
L2: Umberger/Lecavalier/Simmonds
L3: Schenn/Couturier/Read
L4: Rinaldo/Bellemare/VandeVelde
D1: Grossmann/Streit
D2: Del Zotto/Schultz
D3: Manning/Schenn
Starting G: Emery
Backup G: Mason
Florida Panthers:
Due to injuries/call-ups, Florida has yet to announce their forward lines.
D1: Campbell/Ekblad
D2: Mitchell/Kulikov
D3: Olsen/Gudbranson
Starting G: Luongo (Questionable with Flu)
Backup G: Montoya
Closing Thoughts:
Philadelphia is tied for 5th in Goals Allowed a Game with 3.4 and is 6th in Shots Allowed a Game with 32.5. However, they are time for 6th in the league in Goals a Game with 3.2 and have an incredible set of Forwards. This should be a high scoring game with lots of physicality. Let’s hope the Panthers pull off a big win tonight!
Kris M. can be reached for contact on Twitter or via email at thesunshineskate@gmail.com.
