Flyers-Avalanche: Game 62 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center could be the beginning of the end for the Flyers.

With the trade deadline less than 24 hours away after the Flyers and Colorado Avalanche face off, both teams could look significantly different following the deadline.

The opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Avalanche Leaders GP G A P
Jake Voracek 61 16 34 50 Nathan MacKinnon 60 12 29 41
Claude Giroux 61 12 31 43 Matt Duchene 55 16 20 36
Wayne Simmonds 61 25 17 42 Mikko Rantanen 55 14 16 30
Brayden Schenn 58 19 21 40 Gabriel Landeskog 50 13 13 26
Shayne Gostisbehere 55 5 21 26 Tyson Barrie 52 5 21 26
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek 9 Matt Duchene
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, -5 Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, E
 
Jake Voracek has been one of the few players able to score of late. Voracek has goals in two of the Flyers last three games, including the first goal for the Orange and Black on Saturday.
 
Matt Duchene is the object of Flyers fans' affection right now. While the Orange and Black are not buying and not in play for Duchene's services, Duchene is likely being moved on Wednesday, so this could be his final game for Colorado.
 
Goalie Matchup
35 Steve Mason 40 Jeremy Smith
16-17-6, 2.90 GAA, .900 SV% 1-2-0, 3.05 GAA, .914 SV%

Steve Mason makes his first appearance between the pipes for the Flyers in seven games, his first game since a Feb. 9 loss to the Islanders.

Rookie Jeremy Smith makes his third straight start for the Avalanche after picking up the win in their last game on Saturday against the Sabres. This is his fourth career start.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Travis Konecny, Roman Lyubimov, Brandon Manning, Nick Schultz

Left Wing Center Right Wing
10 Brayden Schenn 28 Claude Giroux 17 Wayne Simmonds
40 Jordan Weal 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
12 Michael Raffl 25 Nick Cousins 24 Matt Read
76 Chris VandeVelde 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
32 Mark Streit 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
9 Ivan Provorov 47 Andrew MacDonald  
3 Radko Gudas 15 Michael Del Zotto  
Goalie    
35 Steve Mason    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-9th, T-12th at home), Avalanche (29th, 24th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-15th, 14th at home), Avalanche (24th, 26th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Avalanche
    • Dec. 14, 2016 - The Flyers extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 4-3 win in Colorado. Michael Del Zotto scored to open the scoring four minutes into the second period before Rene Bourque and Matt Duchene answered to give Colorado the lead. Wayne Simmonds tied the game just 23 seconds later, and the game was knotted at two heading to the third. The Flyers scored twice in less than two minutes early in the period with goals by Roman Lyubimov and Brayden Schenn. Duchene's second goal of the game came with 4:45 to play and the Flyers held off a frantic rally from the Avalanche in the closing seconds to survive for the win.
  • Flyers leaders vs. Avalanche
    • Claude Giroux – 9 games, 6 goals, 2 assists, 8 points
    • Jake Voracek - 20 games, 4 goals, 10 assists, 14 points
    • Steve Mason - 18 games, 8-7-3, 2.99 GAA, .905 Sv%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Nick Cousins is playing in his 100th NHL game tonight.

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

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