Photographer: Kate Frese

Flyers-Lightning: Game 65 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

Published07 Mar 2016

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Flyers close homestand against red-hot Lightning

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Photo: Kate Frese/Flyerdelphia

After taking their only loss of the homestand to this point, the Flyers responded with a resounding 6-0 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. They have one game left in the comforts of home on the six-game homestand before taking to the road to continue the playoff push.

The goal for the Flyers on the homestand has been in the range of 10 points in six games. They have eight in five after four wins and one disappointing regulation loss to the Oilers.

One common thread of the Flyers homestand has been the type of opponent. All five games have come against teams either well out of the playoff race or fighting for a playoff spot. 

On Monday, that trend changes as the Flyers welcome the first of several playoff opponents to come. The Tampa Bay Lightning are in town and bring a nine-game winning streak with them. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Lightning Leaders GP G A P
Claude Giroux 61 18 37 55 Nikita Kucherov 63 25 28 53
Jakub Voracek 60 10 38 48 Steven Stamkos 65 29 23 52
Wayne Simmonds 64 23 21 44 Victor Hedman 64 6 31 37
Brayden Schenn 62 21 22 43 Alex Killorn 64 13 21 34
Shayne Gostisbehere 46 12 23 35 Anton Stralman 65 9 22 31
 
Player to Watch
10 Brayden Schenn 91 Steven Stamkos
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 4 A, 7 P, E Last 5 Games: 3 G, 2 A, 5 P, +4
 
None of the Flyers top line forward were key contributors on the scoresheet during Saturday's win. Brayden Schenn has still remained a driving force of the Flyers success of late. Schenn has nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 17 games since Feb. 1.  
 
As Steven Stamkos has gone, so have the Lightning. On this nine-game winning streak, Stamkos scored a goal in the first six games and has seven goals and three assists during the winning streak. 
 
Goalie Matchup
35 Steve Mason 30 Ben Bishop
14-15-7, 2.62 GAA, .916 SV% 28-17-3, 2.06 GAA, .926 SV%

Steve Mason made his first start since Feb. 20 in Toronto on Saturday and returned with a shutout, stopping 19 shots. Mason made 29 saves in the Flyers overtime loss to the Lightning to open the season.

Ben Bishop enters Monday's game riding a personal six-game winning streak himself. He allowed three goals to Carolina in his last start but prior to that had allowed no more than two goals in a game since his last loss on Feb. 16 to San Jose. 

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Evgeny Medvedev, R.J. Umberger, Jordan Weal, Jake Voracek, Michael Del Zotto

Left Wing Center Right Wing
10 Brayden Schenn 28 Claude Giroux 17 Wayne Simmonds
12 Michael Raffl 14 Sean Couturier 89 Sam Gagner
21 Scott Laughton 52 Nick Cousins 24 Matt Read
76 Chris VandeVelde 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 25 Ryan White
Defense    
47 Andrew MacDonald 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
55 Nick Schultz 32 Mark Streit  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
35 Steve Mason    

The Flyers roll out the same lineup as Saturday night's win over the Blue Jackets to face the Lightning on Monday.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (18th, 24th at home), Lightning (T-24th, 28th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (21st, 21st at home), Lightning (7th, T-12th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Lightning
    • Oct. 8, 2015 – The Flyers suffered a 3-2 overtime loss to the Lightning in Tampa Bay. Goals from Matt Read and Brayden Schenn moved the Flyers to a 2-1 lead in the second before Ryan Callahan tied things up going to the third. A back-and-forth game and frantic overtime ended with Jason Garrison scoring his second goal of the game on a breakaway.
  • Flyers leaders vs. Lightning
    • Claude Giroux – 24 games, 3 goals, 20 assists, 23 points
    • Sam Gagner – 9 games, 0 goals, 8 assists, 8 points
    • Mark Streit – 31 games, 4 goals, 18 assists, 22 points
    • Steve Mason – 6 games, 1-3-2, 2.98 GAA, .873 Sv%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Mark Streit plays in his 700th NHL game tonight
    • Michael Raffl plays in his 200th NHL game tonight
    • Brayden Schenn needs 2 assists to reach 100 in the NHL and 3 assists to reach 100 as a Flyer

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.