Flyers

Flyers-Flames: Game 29 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

Published12 Dec 2018

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11-18-2017_FlyersvsFlames_3rd_credKateFrese-4

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Flames: Game 29 Preview

The Flyers five-game road trip started with two very different results over the weekend. After rallying for a 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, they were handed another lopsided defeat, 7-1, in Winnipeg on Sunday.

For the Flyers to avoid more significant changes as the season progresses, finding some consistency in the results is imperative. The next chance for a victory comes on Wednesday night against the Pacific Division leading Calgary Flames.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Calgary Flames GP G A P
Claude Giroux 28 11 25 36 Johnny Gaudreau 31 12 27 39
Jake Voracek 28 8 15 23 Sean Monahan 31 18 17 35
Sean Couturier 26 10 10 20 Elias Lindholm 31 16 18 34
Travis Konecny 28 9 10 19 Matthew Tkachuk 31 13 20 33
Wayne Simmonds 28 10 4 14 Mark Giordano 29 3 26 29
 
Player to Watch
14 Sean Couturier 13 Johnny Gaudreau
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, E Last 5 Games: 2 G, 8 A, 10 P, +8
 
Sean Couturier figures to return to the lineup in a bit of a new role, the second-line center. It will be interesting what that decision does for the Flyers in the short-term.
 
Johnny Gaudreau was actually held scoreless in his last game, but then again, so were the rest of his teammates. Otherwise, the South Jersey product is on a roll, with 10 points in the previous four games.
 
Goalie Matchup
41 Anthony Stolarz 41 Mike Smith
6 GP, 2-1-1, 3.39 GAA, .898 SV% 19 GP, 11-7-1, 2.88 GAA, .894 SV%

Anthony Stolarz came on in relief on Sunday in a 3-1 game after a solid afternoon in Buffalo on Saturday and got lit up for four more goals. It's certainly difficult for Stolarz to be put in that situation cold. He should be able to fully prepare as the starter for Wednesday.

Mike Smith still gets the bulk of the starts for the Flames, but nothing is certain with David Rittich experiencing a lot of success in the crease this season.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Corban Knight

Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Jordan Weal, Christian Folin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
25 James van Riemsdyk 28 Claude Giroux 11 Travis Konecny
12 Michael Raffl 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
21 Scott Laughton 19 Nolan Patrick 17 Wayne Simmonds
23 Oskar Lindblom 44 Phil Varone 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
8 Robert Hagg 47 Andrew MacDonald  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
41 Anthony Stolarz    

Lineup Notes

With Sean Couturier back in the lineup, Jori Lehtera exits. The rest of the roster is the same for Wednesday with a lot of shuffling within the lines.

Flames Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michael Stone, Michael Frolik, Mikael Backlund

Scratches: Dalton Prout, Ryan Lomberg

Left Wing Center Right Wing
13 Johnny Gaudreau 23 Sean Monahan 28 Elias Lindholm
19 Matthew Tkachuk 10 Derek Ryan 27 Austin Czarnik
88 Andrew Mangiapane 77 Mark Jankowski 18 James Neal
93 Sam Bennett 89 Alan Quine 21 Garnet Hathaway
Defense    
5 Mark Giordano 7 T.J. Brodie  
55 Noah Hanifin 24 Travis Hamonic  
58 Oliver Kylington 4 Rasmus Andersson  
Goalie    
41 Mike Smith    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (29th, 27th on road), Flames (12th, 5th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (31st, 30th on road), Flames (18th, 30th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Flames
    • Nov. 18, 2017 – Flames 5, Flyers 4 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • Dec. 4, 2017 – Flyers 5, Flames 2 (at CGY)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Flames
    • Jake Voracek – 22 GP, 5 G, 15 A, 20 P
    • Claude Giroux – 14 GP, 2 G, 10 A, 12 P
    • Scott Laughton – 4 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
  • Milestone Watch
    • James van Riemsdyk needs one point to reach 400 in his career.
    • Wayne Simmonds needs three goals to reach 200 as a Flyer.
    • Robert Hagg will play in his 100th NHL game tonight.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia+
Radio: 93.3 WMMR