The Philadelphia Flyers (33-30-18) will play their final game of the 2014-15 season this afternoon when they host the Ottawa Senators (42-26-13). This is the third and final meeting between the teams and second in Philadelphia. Gametime is 12:30.
The Flyers are coming off a 3-1 loss to Carolina on Thursday. The Flyers lone goal in that game came in the final minutes on a deflection by Sean Couturier with the goaltender pulled. In general, the team played a very uninspired game.
Jakub Voracek continues to lead the team in scoring with 81 points but now trails John Tavares and Sidney Crosby by three points in the race for the scoring title. With just today's game left on the schedule, it appears the Flyers will have to continue to wait for their first ever Art Ross Trophy.
Steve Mason, 18-17-11 with a 2.23 goals against, .928 save percentage and three shutouts, has been spectacular for the Flyers this season. He has kept the team in a lot of games they had no business having a shot in all season. He figures to get the start today.
For Ottawa, this game has a lot more meaning. The Senators are fighting for their playoff lives. They are currently sitting in the number 1 wild card spot and need one one more point to punch their ticket.
Andrew Hammond has been brilliant since being called up from the minors. The Senators goalie is 19-1-2 in his first 20 NHL starts with a 1.82 goals against average, a .939 save percentage and three shutouts.
Offensively, the Senators are led by Erik Karlsson. The defenseman leads the team with 66 points. Kyle Turris and Mark Stone have 63 and 62 points respectively. Mike Hoffman leads Ottawa with 27 goals.
Game Notes:
- Power play: Flyers (3rd) Senators (23rd)
- Penalty kill: Flyers (27th) Senators (11th)
- The Flyers will hand out their team awards prior to today's game.
Projected Lineup:
- Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
- Read-Couturier-Schenn
- White-Cousins-Rinaldo
- VandeVelde-Bellemare-unknown
Defense Pairs
- Schultz- Del Zotto
- Grossmann- Streit
- Colaiacovo-Manning
Scratches: Lecavalier, L. Schenn, Simmonds, MacDonald, Gudas
Where to Watch:
TV: CSN Philly
Listen: 97.5 The Fanatic
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
