Flyers vs. Canadiens Preseason Matchup: Players to Watch and Storylines to Follow
The Philadelphia Flyers, led by head coach Rick Tocchet, will face off against the Montreal Canadiens, coached by Martin St. Louis, in a preseason game in Quebec. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT and will be streamed live on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com, with radio coverage on 97.5 The Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7 simulcast.
One of the key storylines to watch in the Flyers' second preseason match is the performance of rookie winger Alex Bump. Bump has been given the opportunity to play with top linemates during training camp and will need to make the most of this chance to secure a spot on the Flyers' opening-night roster. Another player to keep an eye on is Nikita Grebenkin, who is competing with Bump for a roster spot.
Jett Luchanko, the Flyers' 2024 first-round pick, will be making his first appearance since the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' playoff elimination. While the Flyers don't expect immediate dominance from the 19-year-old center, they are looking for him to showcase his speed, two-way awareness, and playmaking skills on the ice.
In goal, Samuel Ersson will likely see action in the game against the Canadiens. Ersson is looking to bounce back from an inconsistent and injury-plagued season in 2024-25. He has shown strong form in training camp, and his performance in this preseason game will be closely watched. Aleksei Kolosov is also on the trip and could see playing time.
Team captain Sean Couturier, a two-time Selke Trophy finalist and 30-goal scorer, is healthy and motivated to lead the Flyers to a successful season in 2025-26. Meanwhile, defenseman Travis Sanheim, a long-time member of the Flyers organization, has evolved into a team leader. Coach Tocchet may experiment with splitting up Sanheim and Cam York, a longstanding defensive pairing, during the preseason to explore different defensive combinations.
In conclusion, the Flyers' preseason matchup against the Canadiens presents an opportunity for players like Alex Bump, Jett Luchanko, Samuel Ersson, Sean Couturier, and Travis Sanheim to showcase their skills and make their case for a spot on the team's roster. Fans can tune in to see how these storylines unfold as the Flyers continue their preseason preparations.