There are 10 Flyers players involved in the 2017 IIHF World Championships in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany. Nine are in action on Friday as the preliminary round of the tournament gets underway.
Sweden vs. Russia, 10:15 a.m. EDT
If the Russians use the same lineup they had in the recent Carlson Hockey Games preparation tournament, Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov will start on Russia's second pairing. Flyers checking forward Roman Lyubimov is not listed on Russia's roster after the CHG but played in all three pre-tourney games. Flyers left wing prospect Oskar Lindblom was not named to Tre Kronor's roster despite being selected as the SHL forward of the year.
Finland vs. Belarus, 10:15 a.m. EDT
Flyers center Valterri Filppula skated on Finland's top line during the Carlson Hockey Games. He was flanked by Jesse Puljujà¤rvi and Sebastian Aho.
Czech Republic vs. Canada, 2:15 p.m. EDT
This game is likely the one of strongest interest to Flyers fans, with six or seven Philly players involved in the game. Named Canada's captain yesterday, Flyers captain Claude Giroux will center Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon. Wayne Simmonds and Alex Killorn played on Sean Couturier's line. Brayden Schenn, who played well on Couturier's line late in the NHL season, is instead the left winger on a unit with Brayden Point and Mitch Marner. Travis Konecny was the 13th forward in Canada's 4-1 win over Switzerland in a pre-tourney tuneup game. For the Czech Republic, Jakub Voracek collected five points in two games at the CHG. Defenseman Radko Gudas is also in the Czech lineup. Flyers general manager Ron Hextall serves as Team Canada's GM, while Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol is a Team Canada assistant coach.
The IIHF has set up a YouTube channel with free live streams of the games. However, access to the broadcasts is subject to region blocking.