Writer: Kevin Durso
Flyers-Avalanche: Game 73 Preview
I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.
All posts by Kevin DursoPublished24 Mar 2016
Needing response from Tuesday collapse, Flyers take on Avalanche
There was no more disheartening loss than the Flyers defeat on Tuesday at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, the loss was deserved, as the end result reflected the play on the ice.
Even so, being 1:04 from escaping with two points when every point counts is crushing and that's the Flyers challenge as a four-game road trip continues on Thursday night.
The Flyers head into snowy Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche, where they have not won a game since 2002.
The opening faceoff is set for 9 p.m.
| Flyers Leaders | GP | G | A | P | Avalanche Leaders | GP | G | A | P |
| Claude Giroux | 69 | 20 | 41 | 61 | Matt Duchene | 71 | 29 | 27 | 56 |
| Brayden Schenn | 70 | 24 | 27 | 51 | Nathan MacKinnon | 72 | 21 | 31 | 52 |
| Wayne Simmonds | 72 | 25 | 25 | 50 | Gabriel Landeskog | 66 | 18 | 30 | 48 |
| Jakub Voracek | 63 | 10 | 39 | 49 | Tyson Barrie | 69 | 13 | 34 | 47 |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 54 | 16 | 23 | 39 | Carl Soderberg | 73 | 12 | 35 | 47 |
| Player to Watch | |
| 28 Claude Giroux | 92 Gabriel Landeskog |
| Last 5 Games: 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, -1 | Last 5 Games: 3 G, 2 A, 5 P, +3 |
| Goalie Matchup | |
| 35 Steve Mason | 1 Semyon Varlamov |
| 18-16-9, 2.56 GAA, .918 SV% | 26-18-3, 2.66 GAA, .917 SV% |
Steve Mason makes his third straight stop after nearly carrying the Flyers to wins in both games of a back-to-back. His performance in Tuesday's shootout loss was particularly notable, 51 saves on 53 shots in regulation and overtime.
Semyon Varlamov has been one of the strongest goaltenders in the NHL of late. He has wins in four of his last five starts, allowing one goal or less in three of them. He has also made at least 27 saves in each of the last five games.
Scratches: Chris VandeVelde, Evgeny Medvedev, R.J. Umberger, Jordan Weal, Michael Del Zotto
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| 10 Brayden Schenn | 28 Claude Giroux | 17 Wayne Simmonds |
| 12 Michael Raffl | 14 Sean Couturier | 89 Sam Gagner |
| 93 Jake Voracek | 52 Nick Cousins | 24 Matt Read |
| 21 Scott Laughton | 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare | 25 Ryan White |
| Defense | ||
| 47 Andrew MacDonald | 53 Shayne Gostisbehere | |
| 55 Nick Schultz | 32 Mark Streit | |
| 23 Brandon Manning | 3 Radko Gudas | |
| Goalie | ||
| 35 Steve Mason |
The Flyers will use the same lineup as the previous two games on Thursday night.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (17th, 10th on road), Avalanche (11th, 3rd at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-19th, 14th on road), Avalanche (9th, 11th at home)
- Recent History vs. Avalanche
- Nov. 10, 2015 – The Flyers suffered a 4-0 loss to the Avalanche in Philadelphia. Jarome Iginla struck for the game's first goal just 57 seconds into the game. Matt Duchene added two goals in the second period in the first 3:44 of the second period. Cody McLeod capped the scoring with a power-play goal at 2:04 of the third. Reto Berra made 25 saves in the shutout win. Michal Neuvirth stopped 36 of 40 Colorado shots.
- Flyers leaders vs. Avalanche
- Sam Gagner – 41 games, 15 goals, 24 assists, 39 points
- Claude Giroux – 7 games, 5 goals, 1 assist, 6 points
- Mark Streit – 10 games, 1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points
- Steve Mason – 16 games, 6-7-3, 3.05 GAA, .903 Sv%
- Milestone Watch
- Jake Voracek needs 5 goals to reach 100 as a Flyer.
- Sean Couturier needs 3 assists to reach 100 in his career.
- Claude Giroux needs 4 points to pass Reggie Leach for 12th all-time in Flyers history.
Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
