Flyers

Flyers-Coyotes: Game 15 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

Published05 Nov 2018

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10-30-2017_FlyersvsCoyotes_1st_credKateFrese-4

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Coyotes: Game 15 Preview

After two wins to open a four-game road trip, the Flyers carried a lead late into Saturday's game and let one point slip away in overtime. It's been a better road trip for the Flyers, but Ron Hextall said Sunday that the final game of the trip on Monday was a big one that would determine his evaluation of the road trip.

The fourth and final game of the road trip comes against the Arizona Coyotes in the first of a home-and-home between the two teams. The Coyotes have been an upstart team, picking up wins in five straight games.

Game time is at 9 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Arizona Coyotes GP G A P
Claude Giroux 14 4 10 14 Clayton Keller 12 5 4 9
Jake Voracek 14 4 10 14 Alex Goligoski 12 1 6 7
Wayne Simmonds 14 7 2 9 Oliver Ekman-Larsson 12 1 6 7
Nolan Patrick 11 4 3 7 Brad Richardson 12 4 2 6
Robert Hagg 14 3 4 7 Michael Grabner 12 3 3 6
 
Player to Watch
19 Nolan Patrick 9 Clayton Keller
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, +4
 
Three games ago, Nolan Patrick was a minus-4 against the Islanders in a 6-1 loss. In the last three games, he has five points and is a plus-5, as his line has been clicking of late.
 
Clayton Keller has been the Coyotes leader in points and the second year player has been excellent to start the season. During the Coyotes five-game win streak, Keller has two goals and two assists.
 
Goalie Matchup
33 Cal Pickard 35 Darcy Kuemper
2-1-1, 4.50 GAA, .851 SV% 2-1-0, 1.34 GAA, .957 SV%

Cal Pickard was likely not supposed to get back-to-back starts, but gets another start with Michal Neuvirth back on injured reserve and with Brian Elliott unavailable after leaving practice on Sunday following a collision with Travis Konecny. Pickard was solid overall in San Jose, giving the Flyers a chance at a win, and they will need the same again in Arizona.

Darcy Kuemper gets the start for Arizona on Monday, just his fourth of the season. Kuemper has won each of his last two starts, allowing just a goal in each, including a 35-save performance against Columbus on Oct. 23.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, James van Riemsdyk, Michael Raffl, Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Andrew MacDonald, Tyrell Goulbourne

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
23 Oskar Lindblom 19 Nolan Patrick 93 Jake Voracek
22 Dale Weise 40 Jordan Weal 17 Wayne Simmonds
21 Scott Laughton 15 Jori Lehtera 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 8 Robert Hagg  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 26 Christian Folin  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
33 Cal Pickard    

Lineup Notes

The Flyers appear to be going with the same lineup as Saturday, but the goaltending is another story. Cal Pickard is getting another start, but with Michal Neuvirth out and Brian Elliott unavailable after a collision in practice on Sunday, Alex Lyon has been recalled to serve as backup.

Coyotes Projected Lineup

Injuries: Christian Dvorak, Jakob Chychrun

Scratches: Josh Archibald, Ilya Lyubushkin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
14 Richard Panik 17 Alex Galchenyuk 9 Clayton Keller
11 Brendan Perlini 21 Derek Stepan 36 Christian Fischer
40 Michael Grabner 15 Brad Richardson 13 Vince Hinostroza
67 Lawson Crouse 20 Dylan Strome 25 Nick Cousins
Defense    
23 Oliver Ekman-Larsson 55 Jason Demers  
33 Alex Goligoski 82 Jordan Oesterle  
44 Kevin Connauton 4 Niklas Hjalmarsson  
Goalie    
35 Darcy Kuemper    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (25th, 22nd on road), Coyotes (24th, T-28th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 26th on road), Coyotes (2nd, 4th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Coyotes
    • Oct. 30, 2017 – Coyotes 4, Flyers 3 F/OT (at PHI)
    • Feb. 10, 2018 – Flyers 4, Coyotes 3 F/SO (at ARI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Coyotes
    • Claude Giroux – 14 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 P
    • Sean Couturier – 12 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 P
    • Ivan Provorov – 4 GP, 0 G, 4 A, 4 P
    • Cal Pickard – 4 GP, 2-2-0, 1.83 GAA, .937 SV%

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