Flyers

Flyers-Canadiens: Game 27 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
Author photo
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

Published30 Nov 2019

Disclosure
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Canadiens: Game 27 Preview

The Flyers faced a difficult schedule in November, with 16 games on the schedule and very few breaks of note. It was going to be a test of fortitude for the team to stay afloat and put themselves in a playoff position at the crucial measuring marker of the season that is Thanksgiving.

The Flyers are looking to put a bow on a very solid month. They have points in 13 of 15 games played this month. They are currently on a three-game winning streak. They have 22 points in the standings this month and continue to hang around with the top teams in the league.

They face the Montreal Canadiens, a team they already defeated in overtime during the month back on Nov. 7. The Canadiens started the month on a decent stretch of their own, going on a six-game points streak from Nov. 5 to Nov. 16 where their only two losses were to Philadelphia and New Jersey. But that overtime loss to New Jersey started a six-game losing streak that continued with a Thanksgiving night loss to the Devils, 6-4. 

Game time is at 3 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Montreal Canadiens GP G A P
Travis Konecny 26 8 16 24 Tomas Tatar 25 7 15 22
Sean Couturier 26 8 12 20 Shea Weber 25 8 12 20
Jake Voracek 26 6 13 19 Brendan Gallagher 25 10 9 19
Claude Giroux 26 8 10 18 Phillip Danault 25 6 12 18
Oskar Lindblom  26 10 7 17 Max Domi 25 6 11 17
 
Player to Watch
13 Kevin Hayes 11 Brendan Gallagher
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, +4 Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -4
 
Kevin Hayes was on a 12-game goalless drought that spanned from Oct. 27 to Nov. 19, but since then has three goals in the last five games. 
 
Brendan Gallagher has two goals and two assists on Montreal's six-game losing streak, but has known success against the Flyers with 10 career goals in 21 games. 
 
Projected Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 31 Carey Price
13 GP, 6-2-2, 2.68 GAA, .915 SV% 21 GP, 10-8-3, 3.19 GAA, .897 SV%

Brian Elliott gets back between the pipes on Saturday to face the Canadiens. Elliott was particularly stellar in his last start, making 15 third-period saves to secure a 3-2 win over Columbus. 

The Canadiens have a back-to-back over the weekend, so it can be assumed that goaltending duties will be split. Carey Price did get the start against the Flyers on Nov. 7, but with Montreal facing Boston on Sunday, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Keith Kinkaid in goal for Saturday's game. Head coach Claude Julien said that Kinkaid will get a start this weekend, but did not specify which game, so for now, assume Price gets the start on Saturday.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Nolan Patrick

Scratches: Chris Stewart, Phil Myers

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
28 Claude Giroux 48 Morgan Frost 11 Travis Konecny
49 Joel Farabee 13 Kevin Hayes 21 Scott Laughton
25 James van Riemsdyk 12 Michael Raffl 18 Tyler Pitlick
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 15 Matt Niskanen  
6 Travis Sanheim 61 Justin Braun  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 8 Robert Hagg  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott 79 Carter Hart  

Lineup Notes

Any lineup changes for the Flyers will not be known until warmups. Phil Myers was a healthy scratch on Friday, but could possibly return to the lineup if the team decides to make a change.

Canadiens Projected Lineup

Injuries: Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin, Noah Juulsen, Michael McCarron

Scratches: Christian Folin, Cale Fleury, Gustav Olofsson 

Left Wing Center Right Wing
90 Tomas Tatar 24 Phillip Danault 11 Brendan Gallagher
62 Artturi Lehkonen 13 Max Domi 14 Nick Suzuki
21 Nick Cousins 15 Jesperi Kotkaniemi 40 Joel Armia
54 Charles Hudon 44 Nate Thompson  43 Jordan Weal
Defense    
8 Ben Chiarot 6 Shea Weber  
53 Victor Mete 26 Jeff Petry  
17 Brett Kulak 28 Mike Reilly  
Goalie    
31 Carey Price 37 Keith Kinkaid  

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (11th), Canadiens (17th)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (3rd), Canadiens (30th)
  • Recent History vs. Canadiens
    • Jan. 19, 2019 – Flyers 5, Canadiens 2 (at MTL)
    • Feb. 21, 2019 – Canadiens 5, Flyers 1 (at MTL)
    • March 19, 2019 – Canadiens 3, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
    • Nov. 7, 2019 – Flyers 3, Canadiens 2 (F/OT) (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Canadiens
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 12 GP, 2 G, 12 A, 14 P
    • Jake Voracek – 29 GP, 7 G, 21 A, 28 P
    • Travis Konecny – 9 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 P
    • Claude Giroux – 34 GP, 10 G, 15 A, 25 P
    • Brian Elliott – 15 GP, 7-3-1, 2.87 GAA, .910 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Kevin Hayes needs one goal to reach 100 for his career.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic/97.3 ESPN