In a game against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, the Philadelphia Flyers faced a setback as Garnet Hathaway was ejected for a hit on Luke Hughes. The incident occurred during the game, prompting Hathaway's removal from the ice. Luke Hughes was subsequently forced to leave the game and head to the locker room following the collision.

The hit has drawn the attention of Flyers' coach, John Tortorella, who expressed his frustration with the state of hitting in today's game. Tortorella believes that the NHL is gradually becoming a "no-hit league," suggesting that the league's attitude towards hitting has changed over time.

Tortorella's displeasure with the game misconduct is not the only issue he had during Thursday's game. He made the decision to limit forward Joel Farabee's playing time to just two shifts and 56 seconds. This move left many Flyers fans questioning Tortorella's coaching decisions.

In the past, Tortorella has shown a tendency to bench players who do not meet his expectations. A similar scenario occurred with Owen Tippett during the Flyers' previous match against the New York Rangers. Tippett found himself benched after losing coverage of his assigned player during a Rangers' rush. Joel Farabee faced a similar consequence after being exposed on a goal against during his second shift in the game.

Despite the benching, both Tippett and Farabee are expected to return to the ice in the next game. However, given Tortorella's history, it wouldn't be surprising if the Flyers rearrange their lines mid-game as an unofficial benching strategy.

The Flyers' offensive struggles have contributed to their recent losses, with the team averaging fewer than three goals per game, placing them among the bottom 11 NHL teams in terms of scoring. This statistic was evident once again in Thursday's game against the Devils, where the Flyers suffered a defeat despite a stellar performance from goaltender Carter Hart, who made more than 30 saves.

Looking ahead, the Flyers are gearing up for their next matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In preparation, the team engaged in some intense practice drills, potentially signaling a desire to establish a physical presence on the ice. Flyers' winger Nicolas Deslauriers was seen demonstrating grapple techniques to defenseman Louie Belpedio and forward Joel Farabee during Friday's practice.

As for the anticipated lineup for the upcoming game, the Penguins will feature a potent offensive combination, with Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby, and Bryan Rust leading the charge. Evgeni Malkin, Reilly Smith, and Drew O'Connor form the second forward line, while Jansen Harkins, Lars Eller, and Radim Zohorna complete the third line. Matt Nieto, Noel Acciari, and Jeff Carter round out the Penguins' fourth line.

With tensions running high and the Flyers seeking redemption, the upcoming clash against their rival Penguins promises to be an intense and physical battle on the ice.