Will Claude Giroux be able to lead the way and break the Flyers' offensive slump? (Photo Courtesy of Kate Frese)
The Flyers head up to Buffalo, N.Y. tonight to take on the Sabres, in order to try and break their scoring drought — lasting two shutout games, seven periods and 144:59.
Saturday's game may be just what the doctor ordered for the Flyers, as the Sabres enter dead last in the league in goals against by a wide margin — 3.47 goals per game. This will be the first of three meetings between both teams this season, with all three games being played between now and Feb. 19.
The Sabres (14-28-3) enter the game firmly entrenched in the Connor McDavid Sweepstakes, as they currently sit dead last in the Atlantic Division as well as the Eastern Conference with 31 points. The Flyers (17-21-7) sit one point ahead of New Jersey for fifth place in the Metropolitan Division, and remain 13 points behind the Rangers for the second wild card playoff spot.
In their last 14 games, the Sabres are 1-12-1, and are in the middle of a franchise-record nine-game losing streak. They were embarrassed 7-0 in their last game against a mediocre Minnesota team.
The last Flyers/Sabres tilt came last April, a game that the Flyers won, 5-2. Brayden Schenn scored two goals, while Mark Streit registered a three-point night. The Sabres last beat the Flyers on April 13, 2013 — a game they won 1-0, with now ex-Sabre Christian Ehrhoff scoring the lone goal.
Rob Zepp is expected to make his fourth start between the pipes for the Flyers, after making nine saves on 10 shots in relief of Ray Emery in Thursday's 4-0 loss to Vancouver. Zepp's record stands at 2-1-0 with a 2.21 GAA and .909 save percentage.
Michal Neuvirth will start in the cage for the Sabres. Through 17 games, his record stands at 3-12-1 with a 3.34 GAA and .909 SP.
Leading the way offensively for the Sabres is Tyler Ennis, with 24 points. Drew Stafford and Zemgus Girgensons aren't far behind, with 21 and 20 points apiece. Girgensons' 11 goals also lead the team.
Jakub Voracek will look to expand his NHL scoring lead against the Sabres, as his 52 points still continue to lead the way. Despite shutouts in the Flyers' previous two games, Voracek holds a two-point lead over Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.
With the news that Scott Laughton is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and Matt Read's status as a game-time decision due to illness, the Flyers recalled Jason Akeson from their American League affiliate in Lehigh Valley. Akeson has been scoreless in 12 games with the Orange and Black this season, but has scored eight goals and 17 points in 19 games with the Phantoms.
Tonight's game will also feature three NHL All-Stars — Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux and Girgensons. With over 1.5 million votes, the 21-year-old Girgensons dominated the fans' player vote, thanks to a very aggressive campaign in his home nation of Latvia.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (6th, 16th on road), Sabres (30th, 30th at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 29th on road), Sabres (28th, 20th at home)
- Dating back to the 2010-11 season, the Flyers are 10-3-1 against the Sabres.
Flyers scratches: Steve Mason, Nicklas Grossmann, Braydon Coburn
Flyers Projected Lineup:
Line 1: Brayden Schenn – Claude Giroux – Jakub Voracek
Line 2: R.J. Umberger – Sean Couturier – Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: Zac Rinaldo – Michael Raffl – Jason Akeson/Matt Read
Line 4: Chris VandeVelde – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – Vincent Lecavalier
D-Pair 1: Mark Streit – Andrew MacDonald
D-Pair 2: Michael Del Zotto – Nick Schultz
D-Pair 3: Luke Schenn – Carlo Colaiacovo
Goalie: Rob Zepp
Where to Watch:
TV: CSN
Radio: 93.3 WMMR
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61.
