The Philadelphia Flyers head to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for a Thursday night clash against the Predators, looking to build on their recent momentum. With a 7-5-1 record, the Flyers have found ways to win close games lately, while the struggling Predators at 5-6-4 search for answers after consecutive overtime losses. This matchup carries added significance as Philadelphia looks to complete the season series sweep after their convincing 4-1 victory on October 30. Both teams face lineup challenges with key injuries, making this projected lineup analysis crucial for understanding how this game might unfold.
The Flyers enter this contest with confidence despite some personnel limitations. Their recent 5-4 shootout victory over Montreal demonstrated the team’s resilience and ability to generate offense even without some regular contributors. Nashville, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency, losing four of their last five games and dealing with significant injuries to their defensive core, most notably captain Roman Josi.
Flyers vs Predators projected lineup 11/6/2025: Philadelphia’s forward combinations
The Flyers’ forward group showcases an interesting mix of new acquisitions and established talent that has started to develop chemistry. Owen Tippett centers the top line alongside Christian Dvorak and Trevor Zegras, forming a unit with significant offensive upside. This trio was instrumental in building early leads against Montreal, and head coach Rick Tocchet has emphasized the importance of this line creating traffic and generating quality chances.
Zegras has been particularly impressive since joining the lineup, recording two goals and an assist in the previous meeting with Nashville. His playmaking ability paired with Tippett’s shooting touch gives Philadelphia a dangerous first-line weapon. Dvorak provides veteran stability and defensive responsibility, making this a well-balanced unit capable of matching up against Nashville’s top players.
The second line features rookie sensation Matvei Michkov alongside Sean Couturier and Bobby Brink. While Michkov hasn’t filled the scoresheet recently, his underlying performance against Montreal showed positive signs. He created several high-quality scoring opportunities that teammates couldn’t convert, suggesting a breakout performance could be imminent. Couturier’s two-way excellence and Brink’s finishing ability give this line strong potential.
Philadelphia’s depth lines round out with Nikita Grebenkin flanking Noah Cates and Travis Konecny on the third unit. This combination brings energy and defensive awareness, with Konecny continuing to be one of the team’s most consistent performers. The fourth line projects to feature Rodrigo Abols potentially drawing back in alongside Jacob Gaucher and Garnet Hathaway, though Tocchet mentioned a game-time decision among the forward group. Nicolas Deslauriers may slot in if the team wants additional physicality against a bigger Nashville squad.
Flyers vs Predators projected lineup 11/6/2025: Philadelphia’s defensive pairings and goaltending
The Flyers’ blue line remains without Rasmus Ristolainen, who continues to recover from a triceps injury. Despite this absence, Philadelphia’s defensive corps has shown improved stability. Cam York and Travis Sanheim anchor the top pairing, providing a blend of mobility and offensive creativity. York has taken on increased responsibility this season and responded well to the challenge.
Nick Seeler partners with Jamie Drysdale on the second pairing, creating an intriguing dynamic. Seeler brings physical presence and shot-blocking willingness, while Drysdale contributes offensive instincts and transitional speed. This pairing scored against Nashville in their previous meeting, with Drysdale finding the net in the second period. The chemistry between these two has grown as the season progresses.
Emil Andrae and Noah Juulsen form the third defensive tandem. Both have provided steady, reliable minutes when called upon. Tocchet confirmed that defensive pairs would remain unchanged from the Montreal game, showing faith in this configuration. Egor Zamula and Adam Ginning project as healthy scratches, giving the coaching staff defensive depth options if adjustments become necessary.
In goal, Dan Vladar is expected to get the start despite some recent struggles. Vladar was stellar in the previous Nashville matchup, stopping 32 of 33 shots in what Tocchet described as a “smelling salts” performance. Getting back to that level will be crucial for Philadelphia’s success. Samuel Ersson continues progressing toward a return from his lower-body injury but hasn’t been activated. Aleksei Kolosov serves as the backup and could potentially see action depending on how the coaching staff wants to manage the goaltending situation heading into the weekend.
Flyers vs Predators projected lineup 11/6/2025: Philadelphia’s forward depth
The Predators’ forward group features elite talent but has struggled to generate consistent offense. Filip Forsberg leads the top line alongside veteran center Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Evangelista. This trio represents Nashville’s most dangerous offensive combination, with Forsberg’s goal-scoring prowess and O’Reilly’s playmaking acumen creating constant threats. After recent lineup adjustments against Nashville, Philadelphia knows these players require focused attention.
The second line showcases Nashville’s big offseason additions with Steven Stamkos centering Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault. This veteran-laden unit brings championship experience and offensive firepower. Stamkos remains one of hockey’s premier scorers even as he enters the later stages of his career, while Marchessault brings playoff-proven scoring touch. However, this group has yet to consistently produce at expected levels.
Nashville’s bottom six features Michael Bunting, Fedor Svechkov, and Matthew Wood on the third line, with Tyson Jost, Michael McCarron, and Ozzy Wiesblatt forming the fourth unit. These depth forwards need to contribute more regularly for the Predators to find success. Zachary L’Heureux is listed as a healthy scratch, giving head coach Andrew Brunette lineup flexibility if adjustments become necessary during the game.
The Predators’ injury situation significantly impacts their forward depth. Cole Smith remains sidelined with an upper-body injury, removing a physical presence and penalty-killing specialist from the lineup. This absence forces Nashville to rely on less experienced players in key defensive situations, potentially creating opportunities for Philadelphia’s special teams.
Flyers vs Predators projected lineup 11/6/2025: Nashville’s defensive concerns without Josi
The absence of captain Roman Josi looms large over Nashville’s defensive structure. Josi’s upper-body injury removes the team’s quarterback and most reliable defender, forcing significant adjustments to the Predators’ blue line. This creates a major advantage for Philadelphia’s forwards, who won’t face Nashville’s most formidable defensive weapon.
Brady Skjei and Nick Perbix project as the top pairing in Josi’s absence. Skjei brings size and experience but shoulders increased responsibility without his captain. Perbix provides mobility but hasn’t consistently demonstrated top-pairing capabilities at the NHL level. The Flyers’ top lines, similar to their approach in the recent game against Montreal, should target this pairing aggressively.
Nicolas Hague partners with Nick Blankenburg on the second pairing. Hague offers physicality and defensive awareness, while Blankenburg contributes energy and competitiveness. This duo has shown flashes of effectiveness but lacks the experience and skill level to consistently shut down quality offensive opponents. Spencer Stastney and Justin Barron round out the third pairing, representing Nashville’s most vulnerable defensive combination.
Adam Wilsby’s lower-body injury further depletes Nashville’s defensive depth. The Predators lack the defensive resources to withstand multiple injuries to their blue line, forcing less experienced players into roles beyond their current capabilities. Philadelphia should exploit these matchup advantages throughout the game.
Flyers vs Predators projected lineup 11/6/2025: Goaltending matchup and special teams keys
The goaltending battle features two netminders seeking bounce-back performances. Juuse Saros is expected to start for Nashville after Justus Annunen handled the previous game. Saros remains one of the NHL’s premier goaltenders, capable of single-handedly stealing games with spectacular performances. His presence gives the Predators a chance regardless of other lineup deficiencies.
Philadelphia must generate traffic and create deflections to beat Saros effectively. The Flyers succeeded in this approach against Montreal, with Tocchet emphasizing bodies in front of the net. Saros excels at tracking pucks through traffic but can be vulnerable to screens and redirections. Creating chaos around the crease will be essential for the Flyers’ offensive success.
Special teams could determine this game’s outcome. Philadelphia’s power play has shown improvement recently, with Jamie Drysdale quarterbacking the first unit alongside Noah Cates, Trevor Zegras, Owen Tippett, and Bobby Brink. The second unit features Cam York, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, Christian Dvorak, and Matvei Michkov. These configurations provide scoring threats from multiple sources.
Nashville’s penalty kill faces challenges without Cole Smith, one of their primary shot-blockers and defensive specialists. The Predators’ depleted defensive corps also impacts their ability to effectively kill penalties. Philadelphia should attack aggressively when opportunities arise, particularly targeting the areas where Josi would typically provide coverage.
The Flyers’ penalty kill units feature Couturier and Konecny alongside Seeler and Sanheim on the first group, with Dvorak and Hathaway joining York and Juulsen on the second unit. These combinations have performed adequately but must stay disciplined against Nashville’s power-play weapons. Stamkos and Forsberg pose constant threats, requiring focused attention and aggressive gap control.
This matchup presents Philadelphia with an excellent opportunity to build momentum and continue their recent success. Nashville’s injury problems, particularly on defense without Roman Josi, create favorable conditions for the Flyers’ offensive players to generate quality chances. However, Juuse Saros remains capable of keeping any game close, demanding the Flyers maintain their emphasis on creating traffic and finishing opportunities around the net. With both teams dealing with lineup uncertainties and recent mixed results, expect a competitive game that could once again be decided by special teams execution or come down to the final minutes. The Flyers need to replicate the energy and determination they showed against Montreal while avoiding the defensive lapses that have plagued them in recent outings.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.