Kraken vs. Flyers PREVIEW: A clash of point streaks

The Need to Knows

• The Time: 7pm PT
• The Place: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
• Place to Watch: ROOT Northwest, ESPN+, SportsNet+
• Place to Listen: KJR 93.3-FM
• An Opposing Viewpoint: Broad Street Hockey

Torts Reform

The Flyers were, before the season started, considered one of the two worst/least watchable teams this season alongside the Sharks. But new head coach John Tortorella has the team playing way above their expectation and are sitting in second place in the Metro at 19-11-4.

The Flyers are getting it done in a lot of ways similarly to how the Kraken won so many games last year. Philadelphia has no superstars driving the team, but they have players who are contributing up and down the lineup. Looks like getting rid of Tony DeAngelo and Ivan Provorov was good for locker room vibes, a surprise to absolutely nobody.

The Flyers are a team with three 2nd/3rd lines and a competent 4th line that work their asses off. They battle night in and night out. They play for each other. They’re playing Philadelphia Hockey™️ and they’re a ton of fun to watch. Enjoy it.

— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) December 10, 2023

It seems like teams built like last year’s Kraken also tend to struggle on the power play without the top end finishing talent, and that’s certainly the case here. The Flyers power play is a gigantic crater of sadness.

Flyers powerplay this year is really something. pic.twitter.com/GywrDakUm4

— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) December 22, 2023

But when the Flyers on the penalty kill? Look out. They have eight short-handed goals this season. That PK is aggressive.

The Flyers now have a better goal share shorthanded (34.5%) than the Sharks do at 5v5 (33.5%) this season. Hell ya

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) December 29, 2023

Game Preview

This should be a fun one. I can’t believe the freaking Flyers are fun this season, but curmudgeonly Tortorella (but with a heart of gold) has the team believing and playing for each other.

The Flyers are in a bit of a rough spot though. They’re playing the second of a back-to-back on the road (having played Vancouver last night). They also don’t get the benefit of a fully-rested goalie, as Carter Hart had to come in to replace Samuel Ersson, who left the game in the third period due to dehydration. Hart is expected to start tonight.

In addition, forward Travis Konecny left the game due to illness. So maybe there’s something going around.

The Kraken are on a seven-game point streak. The Flyers are on a nine-game point streak. One of those streaks ends tonight!

(Unless it goes to OT.)

Just one more game until the WINTER CLASSIC on Monday. MONDAY.