Flyers

Flyers-Flames: Game 41 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

Published05 Jan 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.

11-18-2017_FlyersvsFlames_3rd_credKateFrese-4

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Flames: Game 41 Preview

The Flyers start to 2019 has been just as poor as their end to 2018. The Flyers are stuck in a five-game losing streak and now tied for the lowest point total in the NHL as Saturday's games begin.

A disappointing and trying season reaches its halfway point as the Flyers play host to the Calgary Flames.

Game time is at 1 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Calgary Flames GP G A P
Claude Giroux 40 13 33 46 Johnny Gaudreau 42 23 38 61
Jake Voracek 40 10 22 32 Sean Monahan 42 22 29 51
Sean Couturier 38 15 14 29 Elias Lindholm 42 20 28 48
Travis Konecny 40 9 13 22 Matthew Tkachuk 42 18 29 47
Wayne Simmonds 40 12 6 18 Mark Giordano 40 6 33 39
 
Player to Watch
14 Sean Couturier 13 Johnny Gaudreau
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, -1 Last 5 Games: 7 G, 6 A, 13 P, +6
 
Sean Couturier got on the board with his first goal in six games against Carolina. He also had a three-point game in the Flyers 6-5 overtime loss to the Flames in December. 
 
There aren't many players in the league hotter than Johnny Gaudreau. With seven goals and 13 points in his last five games, Gaudreau sits in a tie for fourth in points in the NHL.
 
Goalie Matchup
79 Carter Hart 41 Mike Smith
5 GP, 2-3-0, 2.78 GAA, .899 SV% 23 GP, 12-9-1, 3.09 GAA, .886 SV%

Carter Hart gets back in goal for Saturday's game. He was pulled after allowing three goals on 10 shots in Carolina on Monday in his previous start. With Michal Neuvirth now out of the lineup with an injury and new addition Mike McKenna just getting settled in, it could be the first of several starts to come for Hart.

Mike Smith had a rough go in his last start against the Flyers, giving up four goals in short order in the second period before exiting after 40 minutes. Smith is projected to start on Saturday for the Flames.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michal Neuvirth, Nolan Patrick, Andrew MacDonald, Brian Elliott, Anthony Stolarz, Corban Knight

Scratches: Jori Lehtera

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
12 Michael Raffl 21 Scott Laughton 93 Jake Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk 40 Jordan Weal 17 Wayne Simmonds
23 Oskar Lindblom 44 Phil Varone 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 3 Radko Gudas  
8 Robert Hagg 26 Christian Folin  
Goalie    
79 Carter Hart    

Lineup Notes

The Flyers have not ruled Nolan Patrick out for Saturday's game, but he practiced on Friday in a non-contact jersey, so he is questionable for the game at best. The rest of the lineup will remain the same.

Flames Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michael Stone

Scratches: Dillon Dube, Ryan Lomberg, Alan Quine, Dalton Prout, Juuso Valimaki 

Left Wing Center Right Wing
13 Johnny Gaudreau 23 Sean Monahan 28 Elias Lindholm
19 Matthew Tkachuk 11 Mikael Backlund 67 Michael Frolik
93 Sam Bennett 77 Mark Jankowski 18 James Neal
27 Austin Czarnik 10 Derek Ryan 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, T-25th at home), Flames (13th, 17th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-28th, 24th at home), Flames (19th, 4th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Flames
    • Nov. 18, 2017 – Flames 5, Flyers 4 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • Dec. 4, 2017 – Flyers 5, Flames 2 (at CGY)
    • Dec. 12, 2018 – Flames 6, Flyers 5 (F/OT) (at CGY)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Flames
    • Claude Giroux – 15 GP, 2 G, 12 A, 14 P
    • Jake Voracek – 23 GP, 5 G, 16 A, 21 P
    • Sean Couturier – 11 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 P
  • Milestone Watch
    • Wayne Simmonds needs one goal to reach 200 as a Flyer.
    • Travis Konecny needs three points to reach 100 for his career.

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