Game 59 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators @ Philadelphia Flyers

Anyone hoping for a quick bounce-back from Ottawa's recent string of poor performances might have to temper their expectations because the Flyers have come together as a legitimately not terrible team this season. And while Philadelphia doesn't have much firepower up front, they play pretty decently at both ends of the ice. Well enough, at least, that they will probably end their playoff drought before the Sens. Sucks to be us!

Game Notes:

• Samuel Ersson started to the Flyers last night against Washington so maybe Felix Sandström starts tonight? It would be his first of the 2023-24 season. Philadelphia lost that game 5-2 to the Capitals but you know they say about people in glass houses!
• Maxence Guenette will dress if Thomas Chabot cannot play tonight. Brady Tkachuk will play. Leevi Meriläinen will back up Mads Søgaard (info courtesy of https://twitter.com/TSN1200).
• At five-on-five, the Flyers' offence (2.58 xGF/60) clocks in just below Ottawa's but Philadelphia plays much better defence at five-on-five (2.40 xGA/60).
• The Flyers' powerplay (6.85 xGF/60) ranks below Ottawa's and convert on even fewer chances than the Sens.
• Philadelphia's penalty kill (6.85 xGA/60) outranks Ottawa's but both qualify as pretty darn good by that metric. The Flyers have gotten some shorthanded goaltending though and the Senators have not.
• Senators injuries/illness: Thomas Chabot (GTD), Anton Forsberg, Travis Hamonic, Joonas Korpisalo, Josh Norris
• Flyers injuries: Jamie Drysdale, Ryan Ellis, Travis Konecny, Rasmus Ristolainen

Where to watch/listen: SN1, TVAS2, TSN1200 @ 7PM EST

Lines from Last Game:

Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers

Stats