Flyers

Flyers-Coyotes: Game 8 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

Published02 Nov 2021

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Coyotes: Game 8 Preview

After a three-game road trip in Western Canada, the Flyers return home, but only for a quick stay. They will face the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night before going back on the road for the weekend. 

The Flyers had a successful 2-1-0 road trip, but had their first lackluster game of the season on Saturday in Calgary. They will be looking to bounce back from that result. The Coyotes have struggled to start, still in search of their first win of the season. As such, the Flyers have to avoid a similar game to Saturday and playing down to the opponent. 

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Arizona Coyotes GP G A P
Sean Couturier 7 3 6 9 Shayne Gostisbehere 9 0 5 5
Claude Giroux 7 4 4 8 Clayton Keller 9 3 1 4
Cam Atkinson 7 6 1 7 Lawson Crouse 9 2 2 4
Travis Konecny 7 3 3 6 Phil Kessel 9 1 3 4
Joel Farabee 7 3 3 6 Christian Fischer 9 2 1 3

Players To Watch 11-2

Derick Brassard gets to face his former team from last season on Tuesday night. Brassard has been relatively quiet in the last couple of games, especially as the road trip came to an end and the FAB line's production started to fade. Brassard and company look to get it back in Tuesday's game. 
 
Shayne Gostisbehere is the first former Flyer from this past offseason's busy amount of movement to return to Philadelphia. He happens to be leading the Coyotes in points so far, with five assists in nine games. That said, he is also a minus-6 on the season and minus-4 in his last five games, so the Flyers could look to take advantage of some defensive lapses.  
 
Goalie Matchup 11-2

Carter Hart was the only reason the Flyers had a chance in Saturday's road-trip finale in Calgary. Despite allowing three goals, Hart made 32 saves and kept the Flyers in the game until the middle of the third period. He'll likely be back in goal on Tuesday night to face the Coyotes.

Karel Vejmelka is expected to start in goal for Arizona. He has already made seven starts this season and had some solid recent numbers despite the end results. In his last game on Sunday against Carolina, he made 37 saves on 39 shots in a 2-1 loss. On Friday, he made 30 saves on 31 shots in a loss to Washington.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Line Combos 11-2

Flyers Scratches: Ryan Ellis (injury), Patrick Brown (healthy)

Opponent Line Combos 11-2

Coyotes Scratches: Kyle Capobianco (injury), Alex Galchenyuk (injury), Conor Timmins (injury), Carter Hutton (injury), Ryan Dzingel (injury), Nick Schmaltz (injury), Travis Boyd (healthy), Cam Dineen (healthy)

Lineup Notes

  • Flyers: Ryan Ellis will be out of the lineup for the fifth straight game. Nicolas Aube-Kubel also comes back into the lineup for Patrick Brown. 
  • Coyotes: No changes are expected to the Arizona lineup from their last game on Sunday.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (12th), Coyotes (31st)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (20th), Coyotes (32nd)
  • Recent History vs. Coyotes
    • Jan. 4, 2020 – Coyotes 6, Flyers 2 (at ARI)
    • Dec. 5, 2019 – Coyotes 3, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Coyotes
    • Claude Giroux – 18 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 P
    • Sean Couturier – 16 GP, 4 G, 10 A, 14 P
    • Oskar Lindblom – 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 P
    • Rasmus Ristolainen – 12 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 P
    • Carter Hart – 1 GP, 0-1-0, 11.25 GAA, .750 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Sean Couturier will play in his 700th career game tonight.
    • Rasmus Ristolainen needs one assist to reach 200 for his career.
    • Travis Konecny needs three goals to reach 100 for his career.
    • Claude Giroux needs five power-play points to pass Bobby Clarke for the Flyers all-time franchise lead.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network