Flyers
Flyers-Canucks: Game 31 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 DursoPublished15 Dec 2018
(Photo: Kate Frese)
By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
A long road trip filled with defeats of different kinds comes to a close on Saturday night. For the Flyers, Friday's lifeless game may be rock bottom when it comes to forcing changes from new GM Chuck Fletcher.
Whatever happens from here, things will remain the same with the makeup of the team for one more night, as the Flyers close a five-game road trip in Vancouver against the Canucks.
Game time is at 10 p.m.
Team Leaders
| Philadelphia Flyers | GP | G | A | P | Vancouver Canucks | GP | G | A | P |
| Claude Giroux | 30 | 11 | 28 | 39 | Elias Petterson | 28 | 16 | 17 | 33 |
| Jake Voracek | 30 | 9 | 16 | 25 | Bo Horvat | 34 | 15 | 14 | 29 |
| Sean Couturier | 28 | 12 | 11 | 23 | Nikolay Goldobin | 33 | 5 | 14 | 19 |
| Travis Konecny | 30 | 9 | 10 | 19 | Brock Boeser | 21 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
| Wayne Simmonds | 30 | 10 | 4 | 14 | Jake Virtanen | 34 | 10 | 5 | 15 |
| Player to Watch | |
| 11 Travis Konecny | 53 Bo Horvat |
| Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -2 | Last 5 Games: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, +2 |
| Goalie Matchup | |
| 34 Alex Lyon | 25 Jakob Markstrom |
| 1 GP, 0-1-0, 12.00 GAA, .667 SV% | 23 GP, 11-9-3, 3.14 GAA, .901 SV% |
Alex Lyon made one start this season…and it was a disaster. He lasted through the first period of a game in Buffalo on Nov. 21, allowing four goals on 12 shots before being pulled. Anthony Stolarz has been carrying the Flyers in goal for the last two weeks. This is a spot where the Flyers will likely give Lyon a shot.
It's been a difficult season for Jakob Markstrom. His 3.14 GAA is not very good, but he's been solid in several games as well for the Canucks. Vancouver's top netminder likely gets the call on Saturday.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Injuries: Brian Elliott, Corban Knight
Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Jordan Weal, Christian Folin, Michal Neuvirth
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| 25 James van Riemsdyk | 28 Claude Giroux | 11 Travis Konecny |
| 17 Wayne Simmonds | 14 Sean Couturier | 93 Jake Voracek |
| 23 Oskar Lindblom | 19 Nolan Patrick | 44 Phil Varone |
| 12 Michael Raffl | 21 Scott Laughton | 22 Dale Weise |
| Defense | ||
| 9 Ivan Provorov | 53 Shayne Gostisbehere | |
| 8 Robert Hagg | 47 Andrew MacDonald | |
| 6 Travis Sanheim | 3 Radko Gudas | |
| Goalie | ||
| 34 Alex Lyon |
Lineup Notes
No changes are expected to the Flyers lineup for Saturday.
Canucks Projected Lineup
Injuries: Brandon Sutter, Sven Baertschi
Scratches: Tim Schaller, Alex Biega, Michael Del Zotto
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| 77 Nikolay Goldobin | 53 Bo Horvat | 18 Jake Virtanen |
| 17 Josh Leivo | 40 Elias Pettersson | 6 Brock Boeser |
| 26 Antoine Roussel | 88 Adam Gaudette | 21 Loui Eriksson |
| 60 Markus Granlund | 83 Jay Beagle | 64 Tyler Motte |
| Defense | ||
| 23 Alexander Edler | 8 Chris Tanev | |
| 27 Ben Hutton | 44 Erik Gudbranson | |
| 5 Derrick Pouliot | 51 Troy Stecher | |
| Goalie | ||
| 25 Jakob Markstrom |
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (29th, 28th on road), Canucks (21st, 20th at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (31st, 28th on road), Canucks (24th, 20th at home)
- Recent History vs. Canucks
- Nov. 21, 2017 – Canucks 5, Flyers 2 (at PHI)
- Dec. 7, 2017 – Flyers 4, Canucks 1 (at VAN)
- Milestone Watch
- Wayne Simmonds needs three goals to reach 200 as a Flyer.
Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
