Get ready for a clash of titans! The Philadelphia Flyers are set to battle the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on January 3rd, 2026. This promises to be a thrilling matchup between two teams vying for dominance. Let's dive into the projected lineups, sourced from NHL.com staff, independent correspondents, and other reliable sources, to get you prepared for the game.
FLYERS (20-12-7) vs. OILERS (20-15-6)
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: SN, NBCSP
Projected Flyers Lineup:
- Trevor Zegras — Christian Dvorak — Travis Konecny
- Denver Barkey — Sean Couturier — Owen Tippett
- Matvei Michkov — Noah Cates — Bobby Brink
Carl Grundstrom — Rodrigo Abols — Garnett Hathaway
Cam York — Travis Sanheim
Emil Andrae — Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler — Rasmus Ristolainen
Dan Vladar
Samuel Ersson
Scratched: Nicolas Deslauriers, Nikita Grebenkin, Noah Juulsen
Injured: Tyson Foerster (bicep)
Status Report: Garnett Hathaway is in for Grebenkin, and Emil Andrae replaces Juulsen.
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Projected Oilers Lineup:
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Connor McDavid — Zach Hyman
- Vasily Podkolzin — Leon Draisaitl — Jack Roslovic
- Isaac Howard — Matt Savoie — Quinn Hutson
Mattias Janmark — Adam Henrique — Trent Frederic
Mattias Ekholm — Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse — Alec Regula
Spencer Stastney — Ty Emberson
Calvin Pickard
Connor Ingram
Scratched: Curtis Lazar, Andrew Mangiapane, Riley Stillman
Injured: Tristan Jarry (lower body), Kasperi Kapanen (knee), Jake Walman (undisclosed)
Status Report: Vasily Podkolzin is a game-time decision due to illness. Howard and Hutson were recalled from Bakersfield (AHL) on Friday, while Max Jones was loaned to Bakersfield.
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- Oilers News & Rumours: Howard, Hutson, Mangiapane, Ingram, Pickard
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Key Takeaways and Potential Talking Points:
- The Matchup: Both teams are evenly matched, making this a must-watch game. The Flyers and Oilers each have 20 wins, but the Oilers have 6 losses compared to the Flyers' 7. This could be a pivotal game for both teams as they look to climb the standings.
- Player Movements: Keep an eye on the impact of the players returning from injuries and those making their debut. How will they integrate into their respective teams?
- Controversy Alert: The Flyers' 2024 draft was heavily criticized. Do you agree with the criticism, or do you think the Flyers' draft strategy was sound? What do you think about the potential Christian Dvorak extension?
What are your predictions for the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Will the Flyers' new additions make a difference, or will the Oilers' star power prevail?