(Kate Frese/SB Nation)
By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor
The Flyers return to the ice on Thursday night following a dismal 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers snapped their four-game winning streak. They will be looking to rebound as the stakes grow higher with every passing game and the schedule just gets tougher down the stretch.
They face the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the young Leafs are holding down a playoff spot with breathing room, they have struggled to finish off games at times, including one they feel slipped away to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night by a 2-1 score in overtime.
The game comes with some added fanfare as well, as the Flyers will retire Eric Lindros' No. 88 prior to the game.
The pre-game ceremony is set to begin at 7 p.m. and the opening face-off will follow at 8:08 p.m.
Team Leaders
Philadelphia Flyers | GP | G | A | P | Toronto Maple Leafs | GP | G | A | P |
Claude Giroux | 44 | 14 | 40 | 54 | Auston Matthews | 36 | 19 | 14 | 33 |
Jake Voracek | 44 | 8 | 45 | 53 | William Nylander | 46 | 9 | 23 | 32 |
Sean Couturier | 44 | 25 | 20 | 45 | Mitch Marner | 46 | 5 | 26 | 31 |
Shayne Gostisbehere | 40 | 9 | 23 | 32 | Morgan Rielly | 46 | 5 | 26 | 31 |
Wayne Simmonds | 44 | 15 | 13 | 28 | James van Riemsdyk | 45 | 19 | 10 | 29 |
Player to Watch | |
93 Jake Voracek | 34 Auston Matthews |
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 7 A, 7 P, +3 | Last 5 Games: 2 G, 0 A, 2 P, E |
Goalie Matchup | |
30 Michal Neuvirth | 31 Frederik Andersen |
3-5-1, 2.39 GAA, .923 SV% | 22-13-3, 2.67 GAA, .922 SV% |
Michal Neuvirth returns to the net after coming into Tuesday's game in relief for the third period. Neuvirth returned to the net as a starter in the Flyers final game before the bye week and played very well in a win over Buffalo.
The Leafs will turn to their regular starter Frederik Andersen. Andersen has been solid for the Leafs all season, and made 40 saves on 42 shots in his last start on Tuesday. Andersen has suffered the loss in three straight starts, and has losses in both meetings against the Flyers this season.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Scratches: Dale Weise, Taylor Leier, Travis Sanheim
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
28 Claude Giroux | 14 Sean Couturier | 11 Travis Konecny |
12 Michael Raffl | 51 Valtteri Filppula | 93 Jake Voracek |
40 Jordan Weal | 19 Nolan Patrick | 17 Wayne Simmonds |
15 Jori Lehtera | 21 Scott Laughton | 56 Tyrell Goulbourne |
Defense | ||
9 Ivan Provorov | 53 Shayne Gostisbehere | |
8 Robert Hagg | 47 Andrew MacDonald | |
23 Brandon Manning | 3 Radko Gudas | |
Goalie | ||
30 Michal Neuvirth |
Lineup Notes
The Flyers make one change to the lineup following Tuesday's game. Tyrell Goulbourne slots in for Taylor Leier on the fourth line.
Maple Leafs Projected Lineup
Injuries: Nikita Zaitsev, Nikita Soshnikov
Scratches: Dominic Moore, Josh Leivo, Andreas Borgman
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
11 Zach Hyman | 34 Auston Matthews | 29 William Nylander |
12 Patrick Marleau | 43 Nazem Kadri | 47 Leo Komarov |
25 James van Riemsdyk | 42 Tyler Bozak | 16 Mitch Marner |
15 Matt Martin | 33 Frederik Gauthier | 28 Connor Brown |
Defense | ||
44 Morgan Rielly | 2 Ron Hainsey | |
51 Jake Gardiner | 8 Connor Carrick | |
23 Travis Dermott | 46 Roman Polak | |
Goalie | ||
31 Frederik Andersen |
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (8th, 15th at home), Maple Leafs (T-9th, T-15th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (29th, 29th at home), Maple Leafs (5th, 2nd on road)
- Recent History vs. Maple Leafs
- Oct. 28, 2017 – Flyers 4, Maple Leafs 2 (at TOR)
- Dec. 12, 2017 – Flyers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (at PHI)
- Flyers Leaders vs. Maple Leafs
- Claude Giroux – 30 GP, 11 G, 19 A, 30 P
- Jake Voracek – 22 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 17 P
- Wayne Simmonds – 24 GP, 10 G, 7 A, 17 P
- Shayne Gostisbehere – 8 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 P
- Michal Neuvirth – 17 GP, 9-5-1, 2.85 GAA
Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic