2/12/13: Philadelphia Flyers vs Winnipeg Jets Preview

Winnipeg

 

Game Time: 8 pm

Home: Winnipeg Jets (5-5-1)

Away: Philadelphia Flyers (5-7-1)

Injuries:  Winnipeg- Zach Bogosian (wrist) and Antti Miettinen (upper-body)

                  Philadelphia- Scott Hartnell (foot) and Anrej Mezzaros (shoulder)

The Flyers skate into Winnipeg after a disappointing loss to Toronto last night. In last night's game, the Flyers looked slow compared to the Maple Leafs. James van Riemsdyk's goal exhibited this difference in speed.

Winnipeg will be well-rested after playing last on Saturday.

Al Montoya stepped in for starting goalie Ondrej Pavelec who was sidelined with the flu and earned an impressive 1 to 0 shutout against the Ottawa Senators.

Sean Couturier will miss his second straight game tonight because of the flu. His replacement will be Harry Zolnierczyk who was recalled from the Phantoms.

Zolnierczyk, a high-energy player, will help bring a boost to the Flyers who will be playing two games in a row.

The key to tonight's game will be forechecking. This will help produce chances for offensive production and tire Winnipeg's dangerous defensive unit.

Winnipeg's defense, led by Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien, is ranked first in offensive production with 34 points.

Dustin Byfuglien is also making his return to the blue line after missing a few games with a lower-body injury.

Claude Giroux, who has often looked absent, is frusterated with his play this season. He believes that he just has to lead by example and capitalize on his chances. "It’s got to go in at some point," said the snakebitten captain.

The Flyers need to improve their play on the road. Their away record of 1-6-0 is in the bottom 5 of the NHL. With 5 more games on this extended roadtrip, the Flyers can make this record more respectable.

In the past two years, the Flyers are 1-3 against the Jets. The Flyers hope to pick up a much-needed victory and improve to 6-7-1.

Follow Bill on Twitter @Bassist718

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