Flyers-Blackhawks: Game 3 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The final game of a season-opening three-game road trip commences on Tuesday night for the Flyers as they face the Chicago Blackhawks.

After an opening weekend where the Flyers earned three points with a win and overtime loss, the Flyers have one more test on the road before a welcome home in front of the Flyers faithful on Thursday night.

The opening face-off is set for 8:30 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Blackhawks Leaders GP G A P
Travis Konecny 2 0 3 3 Richard Panik 3 4 1 5
Brandon Manning 2 0 3 3 Duncan Keith 3 0 3 3
Sean Couturier 2 2 0 2 Marian Hossa 3 0 3 3
Mark Streit 2 1 1 2 Niklas Hjalmarsson 2 1 1 2
Nick Cousins 2 0 2 2 Brent Seabrook 3 1 1 2
 
Player to Watch
11 Travis Konecny 88 Patrick Kane
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 3 A, 3 P, +2 Last 5 Games: 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, -1
 
Travis Konecny has been all over the place in his first two games. The only thing he hasn't done is score himself, but that hasn't stopped him from setting up three of the Flyers seven goals this season.
 
It's been a bit of a quiet start for Patrick Kane, who has just two assists in three games this season. Last season's points leader will look to get things going in front of the home crowd.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth 50 Corey Crawford
1-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .920 SV% 0-2-0, 3.10 GAA, .898 SV%

Michal Neuvirth is back in goal for his second start of the season. Neuvirth was excellent in the season opener in Los Angeles, making 23 saves in a win against the Kings on Friday.

Crawford is also off to a rough start with losses to St. Louis and Nashville to open the season. He made 29 saves in the season debut last Wednesday and 24 against Nashville on Friday.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Nick Cousins, Radko Gudas, Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton, Michael Del Zotto

Left Wing Center Right Wing
12 Michael Raffl 28 Claude Giroux 17 Wayne Simmonds
11 Travis Konecny 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
24 Matt Read 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 22 Dale Weise
76 Chris VandeVelde 27 Boyd Gordon 13 Roman Lyubimov
Defense    
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 47 Andrew MacDonald  
9 Ivan Provorov 32 Mark Streit  
23 Brandon Manning 55 Nick Schultz  
Goalie    
30 Michal Neuvirth    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-24th, T-15th on road), Blackhawks (T-9th, 3rd at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-9th,T-9th on road), Blackhawks (29th, 22nd at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Blackhawks
    • Oct. 14, 2015 - The Flyers picked up a 3-0 victory at home. Sam Gagner, Claude Giroux and Matt Read all scored in the win while Michal Neuvirth made 30 saves for the shutout.
    • March 16, 2016 - The Flyers defeated the Blackhawks, 3-2, in Chicago. Marian Hossa scored shorthanded before the Flyers tied the game on a deflection by Ryan White. Jonathan Toews made it 2-1 Chicago in the second before Brayden Schenn added a goal to even the score. With just over 10 minutes to play in the game, Radko Gudas scored to give the Flyers the lead and they held off the Blackhawks for the win.
  • A Look Back in Flyers History - Instead of reliving the obvious standout moment from 2010, we're going with one of more jubilation. Down 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, an overtime goal by Claude Giroux lifted the Flyers to a Game 3 win and back into the series.
  • Flyers leaders vs. Blackhawks
    • Claude Giroux – 10 games, 3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points
    • Mark Streit - 12 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points
    • Matt Read - 7 games, 1 goal, 4 assists, 45 points
    • Michal Neuvirth - 4 games, 2-2-0, 2.50 GAA, .912 Sv%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Chris VandeVelde will play in his 200th NHL game tonight.

Where to Watch
TV: CSN/NBCSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Go to top button