The Flyers are just rocking and rolling, as they currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 81 points. They are 15-5-2 in their last 22 games, and are riding a five game winning streak. Simply put, they are on đŸ”¥ đŸ”¥đŸ”¥. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee, and Connor Bunnaman can all be used in the playoffs in case of an injury. Alain Vigneault did say with confidence that Joel Farabee would be back before the playoffs, but Frost could definitely be used in the event of an injury. That’s the beauty of both of these top end prospects playing top line minutes in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Carter Hart should be the primary Goaltender throughout the rest of the season (Obviously). With that being said, Hart should primarily play three games in a row, then Brian Elliott should get a start to keep fresh. This way Elliott gets to play a game once every seven days to remain fresh. Here’s five starts on the road for Hart that I personally see:
@Washington Capitals 3-4
@Nashville Predators 3-21
@Detroit Red Wings 3-26
@New York Rangers 4-1
@Buffalo Sabres 4-4
Starting in over half the road games left would signify Hart as the go to Goalie in the playoffs, if it already hasn’t. He could very well start in more depending on the playoff situation, as well.
Pittsburgh Penguins…hands down. I’d rather play the Washington Capitals, but just got the feeling it’s going to be Pittsburgh. I know the Penguins lost to the Los Angeles Kings this past Wednesday night, however, they are still a strong team that will be battling back and forth with the Flyers for second place in the Metropolitan Division. It will be an interesting finish, but honestly I like the Flyers chances against the Capitals better. I just think they match up better against the Capitals.
G, Coots, Voracek
Farabee, Hayes, TK
JVR, Grant, Pitlick
Raffl, Laughton, NAK
Thompson
D- Pairings
Provy, Nisky
Sanheim, Myers
Hagg, Braun
Scott Laughton is playing well in the top six, but the question becomes can he sustain it? Laughton is a class act, and does everything he is asked, but Joel Farabee will be up sooner rather than later. If Farabee does come back up he should be placed into the top 6. However, Laughton is on fire right now with 2g,4a in his last three games since he got bumped up to the top 6, so there is no need to recall Farabee at the moment. Shayne Gostisbehere we’ll have a hard time getting back into the lineup while the team is winning. I wouldn’t break the defensive pairs up at all. Robert Hagg has earned his spot in the lineup.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers.
