Flyers

Flyers-Blackhawks: Game 74 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

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 Durso
Sports Editor

Published21 Mar 2019

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11-8-2018_FlyersvsCoyotes_3rd_credKateFrese-7

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Blackhawks: Game 74 Preview

Time is running out on the Flyers with just nine games remaining on the schedule. Tuesday's loss to Montreal was quite possibly the knockout blow to their playoff hopes.

Any hint of what remains of those hopes rests on the next game in front of the team. That comes on Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Chicago Blackhawks GP G A P
Claude Giroux 73 20 57 77 Patrick Kane 71 41 60 101
Sean Couturier 71 30 40 70 Jonathan Toews 72 31 41 72
Jake Voracek 69 19 43 62 Alex DeBrincat 72 38 33 71
Travis Konecny 73 22 24 46 Erik Gustafsson 69 14 37 51
James van Riemsdyk 57 25 18 43 Dylan Strome 48 14 30 44
 
Player to Watch
14 Sean Couturier     88 Patrick Kane
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 4 A, 6 P, E Last 5 Games: 1 G, 4 A, 5 P, +3
 
Sean Couturier has two goals in the last two games to reach 30 goals for the second straight season. He's likely going to finish the season as the team's leading goal scorer and has been consistently the Flyers top forward all season.
 
Patrick Kane is tied for third in the NHL with 41 goals, but has just one in the last five games. Kane is also third in the league in points, helping to lead Chicago's push for the playoffs. 
 
Goalie Matchup
79 Carter Hart 50 Corey Crawford
25 GP, 14-10-1, 2.73 GAA, .919 SV% 31 GP, 12-15-3, 3.06 GAA, .907 SV%

Carter Hart played well despite taking the loss on Tuesday, making 33 saves on 35 shots after his heroics in Pittsburgh. He's back in net for another start on Thursday.

Corey Crawford had four straight wins before an overtime loss to Vancouver in his last start. Crawford allowed one goal or less in each of the four starts with one shutout.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Andrew MacDonald, Cam Talbot, Sam Morin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk 19 Nolan Patrick 28 Claude Giroux
12 Michael Raffl 21 Scott Laughton 11 Travis Konecny
44 Phil Varone 10 Corban Knight 38 Ryan Hartman
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 61 Phil Myers  
8 Robert Hagg 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
79 Carter Hart    

Lineup Notes

Phil Myers returns from illness. Andrew MacDonald comes out. The rest of the lineup is the same.

Blackhawks Projected Lineup

Injuries: Drake Caggiula

Scratches: John Hayden, Carl Dahlstrom

Left Wing Center Right Wing
95 Dylan Sikura 19 Jonathan Toews  88 Patrick Kane
12 Alex DeBrincat  17 Dylan Strome 11 Brendan Perlini
 20 Brandon Saad 15 Artem Anisimov 24 Dominik Kahun
14 Chris Kunitz 64 David Kampf  16 Marcus Kruger
Defense    
2 Duncan Keith 56 Erik Gustafsson  
42 Gustav Forsling 7 Brent Seabrook  
68 Slater Koekkoek 5 Connor Murphy  
Goalie    
50 Corey Crawford    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (23rd, 28th on road), Blackhawks (12th, 8th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (25th, T-20th on road), Blackhawks (31st, 26th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Blackhawks
    • Nov. 1, 2017 – Blackhawks 3, Flyers 0 (at CHI)
    • Nov. 9, 2017 – Flyers 3, Blackhawks 1 (at PHI)
    • Nov. 10, 2018 – Flyers 4, Blackhawks 0 (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Blackhawks 
    • Claude Giroux – 15 GP, 5 G, 17 A, 22 P
    • Sean Couturier – 11 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 P
    • Jake Voracek – 29 GP, 6 G, 16 A, 22 P

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic