Tonight, the Philadelphia Flyers (2-3-0) host the New York Islanders (1-2-2). For the Islanders, it is their 2025 NHL Preseason finale. They’re dressing a lineup that’ll closely resemble the one that competes against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 9th. The Flyers are dressing one variant of a potential opening night roster. Philadelphia has one more preseason exhibition left on the schedule (Saturday vs. the New Jersey Devils) before visiting the Florida Panthers.
The Flyers began their 2025 NHL Preseason against the Islanders at the UBS Arena, resulting in a shootout to decide a winner. Emil Andrae, among roster cuts a few days ago, scored the game-winning shootout goal in the 11th round.
Missing from tonight’s lineup for the Islanders are Jonathan Drouin (illness), Bo Horvat (rest), Kyle Palmieri (rest), and Tony DeAngelo (rest). Kyle MacLean, Calum Ritchie, Marc Gatcomb, and Isaiah George insert into the lineup in their place. Philadelphia will dress what could be perceived as an opening night lineup. A few names who will not be on tonight’s roster include Noah Juulsen (rest), Jett Luchanko (rest), Rodrigo Ābols (rest), Dennis Gilbert (rest), and Rasmus Ristolainen (tricep).
“It could be Thursday night [vs. New York Islanders] and Saturday afternoon [vs. New Jersey Devils]. I don’t think we can experiment much more with what we see and what our gut is; let’s get into it and give these guys a chance.” – Rick Tocchet; 9/30/2025
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena; Philadelphia, PA
When: 7pm/ET
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Listen: 97.5 The Fanatic
Nikita Grebenkin will jump to the first line alongside Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier. His relationship with Rick Tocchet is improving, especially after a terrific 2025 NHL Preseason. That’s a crucial element, especially following a season where players, like Couturier, didn’t have that relationship with John Tortorella. Grebenkin is described as ‘sticky,’ per Tocchet, a player who comes away with loose pucks. An opportunity to compete alongside Konecny and Couturier on the top line shows how pleased Tocchet is with Grebenkin.
“He’s [Nikita Grebenkin], I’m the head coach, a little shy right now, [with] the Russian and stuff. He grabbed me today, and I told him, ‘I need that feedback from him.’ He’s a sticky player. He comes up with loose pucks in the corner, and I remember talking to Chief [Craig Berube] this summer. He told me, ‘This kid, hashmark down, is a really good hockey player.’ He’s put some good games for us together, and I think he has some offensive capability. Now, there’s game management we got to talk about; there’s a time and place to make a play, but overall, I’ve been pleased with him.” – Rick Tocchet; 10/1/2025
Adam Ginning and Egor Zamula will tandem on the third pair. This comes as a surprise after Juulsen seemed to assume the 3RD role. With one exhibition game remaining in the 2025 NHL Preseason, Tocchet could use tonight as a final audition for the 3LD role. Ginning must have a strong outing to break onto the NHL roster with the Flyers.
Sam Ersson will start and play the whole length tonight. Dan Vladař will start and play the whole length of Saturday’s 2025 NHL Preseason finale versus the New Jersey Devils.
Roster: Philadelphia Flyers
Roster: New York Islanders
