Even With Possible Delay, Flyers & Penguins Ready For Playoff-Like Showdown Outdoors

Big games call for big opportunities. An opportunity that many fans believed Carter Hart would be apart of. However, in a strictly hockey-based decision, Hart will not.




In a rather shocking decision, Flyers interim head coach, Scott Gordon, named Brian Elliott the starter for the Flyers showdown vs the Penguins Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. Now, fans maybe angry with the decision. However, Gordon made the decision based on the Flyers spot in the playoff race.

“I think the world of Carter (Hart), If this was just another game things may have been different, but we are in a playoff race.” Gordon said when announcing Elliott as the starter.

A decision had to be made and Gordon went with the hockey decision rather than what the fans wanted. Gordon and Hart both admitted the last two games haven’t been Carter’s best. But, starting 4 games in a 6-day stretch is hard on any goalie. Not to mention one that is 20-years-old.




But, Hart wasn’t the only change for the Flyers headed into Saturday’s game. Scott Gordon also will change the forward line combinations to look for a jolt for a Flyers team that has only 3 goals in their last two games. Here is how the Flyers are expected to line up Saturday…

Giroux-Patrick-Konecny

Lindblom-Couturier-Voracek

Raffl-Laughton-Simmonds

JVR-Varone-Bailey

Saturday night’s game against the Penguins seems to be the last gasp effort for the Flyers to make one last run towards the playoffs. If they lose, they will be 10-points out and face an unclimbable hill with just 20 games remaining.

With the game being so late in the season, the Flyers are making the right decision treating the game as a playoff game instead of just another game. Especially with the Penguins being a team the Flyers are trying to chase in the standings. But, that still doesn’t take away from the Flyers getting back to the roots of the game outside.

When asked about the ice-conditions, here are some of their remarks…

“It was pretty good for me, I like the crisp sound the ice makes in the outdoor. Felt the sight lines were pretty on par, I liked it.” Brian Elliott.

“I just hope we play with the wind tomorrow, both ways all the time.” Jake Voracek said jokingly.

“I thought the ice was pretty normal for an outdoor rink. Its a little harder and the puck bounces a little more, but the wind is the biggest factor.” Shayne Gostisbehere said with Claude Giroux jokingly saying, “I agree with Shayne.”

Even in probably the biggest game of the Flyers season, the players still know how to have fun and fool around a little. Through all the seriousness of the game, the players still realize this is a spectacle for the fans.

Get ready Philadelphia because the NHL Stadium Series between the Flyers and Penguins is tomorrow. Also, expect a couple surprise attendee’s for the game that will be apart of the pre-game festivities.