How to fake it: Philadelphia Flyers’ season opener
The Flyers’ Scott Laughton watches the puck during the game October 4 against the New York Islanders at the Wells Fargo Center. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
The Philadelphia Flyers open the season Wednesday night in a rivalry game against the New Jersey Devils, home of last year’s bottom league leader in the Metropolitan Division.
Game Status: Everything you need to know about the Flyers’ chances of winning a Stanley Cup this year is covered by local headlines that have you wondering if the team will have the worst record in the NHL and whether they’ll make the season easy should “refuel” in the hope of the predicted No. 1 overall winner Connor Bedard.
- Bedard was already considered “the future of hockey” at the age of 13, and the 17-year-old is being billed as a one-off talent with comparisons to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.
With pity For flyer fanatics, here are some things you should know:
- First-year head coach John Tortorella was hired in June in what he says is helping stabilize the team. But it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence when the guy who’s supposed to swear at you talks like that before the season starts.
- The Flyers didn’t really push to land Johnny Gaudreau during free agency over the summer, and he eventually signed a $68 million deal with Columbus. When asked, Tortorella said, “Is it time to sign a free agent like that?”
- Tap into the exasperation of the Flyers fans with a well-timed, “Um yeah coach, patience isn’t a virtue we care about when you finished dead in the division last year and went 1-4-1 in the preseason. “
Between the lines: Injuries have marred the Flyers, with defender Ryan Ellis believed to have been sidelined all season with a back injury, center Sean Couturier’s back aggravated again after surgery and the club’s second-best scorer, winger Cam Atkinson, was ruled out of tonight’s competition with an upper-body injury.
Yes but: Flyers center Tanner Laczynski finally appears healthy after undergoing three surgeries on his hips and core muscles in 18 months.
Daily Statistics: Goalie Carter Hart is likely to try again behind the net this year as the Flyers have conceded 3.56 goals per game over the past two seasons, the worst in the NHL.
- Queue for one of these golden goal comebacks, and you’re bound to score with hardcore followers: “At least we’re the best at being the worst” or “Well, we’ve still got gritty .”
If you see: The puck drops at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.