Flyers

Flyers-Maple Leafs: Game 71 Preview

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1-18-2018_FlyersvsLeafs_2nd_credKateFrese

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Maple Leafs: Game 71 Preview

The start of a demanding weekend on the Flyers schedule did not start off well with a 5-2 loss to Washington at home on Thursday night. Now the Flyers have to take to the road and find a way to win against two tough opponents to keep their playoff hopes alive.

It starts on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that Flyers have not faced since Nov. 24, two days before Ron Hextall was fired as GM.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Toronto Maple Leafs GP G A P
Claude Giroux 70 20 53 73 Mitch Marner 70 24 60 84
Sean Couturier 68 28 37 65 John Tavares 70 39 38 77
Jake Voracek 66 18 43 61 Morgan Rielly 70 19 48 67
Travis Konecny 70 22 22 44 Auston Matthews 56 32 31 63
James van Riemsdyk 54 21 17 38 Kasperi Kapanen 68 19 23 42
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek     34 Auston Matthews
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 6 A, 9 P, +4 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, -1
 
Prior to his two-game suspension, Jake Voracek was on a five-game point streak with nine points in that time. Having watched the last two games, Voracek is certainly going to be motivated to help the Flyers keep this playoff run going.
 
After going six games without a goal and four of five games without a point, Auston Matthews has started to get back on track with goals in back-to-back games and three points over the last two games. With his skill level, he could be a nightmare for the Flyers, who are playing in a back-to-back.
 
Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 31 Frederik Andersen
23 GP, 11-8-1, 2.59 GAA, .916 SV% 52 GP, 33-14-4, 2.68 GAA, .920 SV%

Outside of a rough start against Washington last Wednesday, Brian Elliott has been solid in goal. He made 20 saves in a win on Monday over Ottawa and has wins in three of his last four games.

Frederik Andersen's last start was not a good one, allowing four goals on 14 shots to Chicago in the first period before being pulled. Andersen was also pulled in his previous start before that, allowing four goals on 19 shots to the Lightning. Prior to those last two starts, Andersen had won six of seven starts.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Justin Bailey, Andrew MacDonald, Cam Talbot, Sam Morin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 28 Claude Giroux
25 James van Riemsdyk 19 Nolan Patrick 93 Jake Voracek
12 Michael Raffl 21 Scott Laughton 11 Travis Konecny
44 Phil Varone 10 Corban Knight 38 Ryan Hartman
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 61 Phil Myers  
8 Robert Hagg 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

Jake Voracek returns from suspension, which means Justin Bailey will sit as the extra forward. The rest of the lineup remains the same.

Maple Leafs Projected Lineup

Injuries: Kasperi Kapanen, Jake Gardiner, Travis Dermott

Scratches: Zach Hyman, Igor Ozhiganov

Left Wing Center Right Wing
12 Patrick Marleau 91 John Tavares  16 Mitch Marner
18 Andreas Johnsson  34 Auston Matthews 29 William Nylander
 42 Trevor Moore 43 Nazem Kadri 28 Connor Brown
63 Tyler Ennis 33 Frederik Gauthier  19 Nic Petan
Defense    
44 Morgan Rielly 2 Ron Hainsey  
8 Jake Muzzin 22 Nikita Zaitsev  
52 Martin Marincin 3 Justin Holl  
Goalie    
31 Frederik Andersen    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (23rd, 28th on road), Maple Leafs (7th, 4th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (26th, 24th on road), Maple Leafs (T-18th, 18th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Maple Leafs
    • Oct. 28, 2017 – Flyers 4, Maple Leafs 2 (at TOR)
    • Dec. 12, 2018 – Flyers 4, Maple Leafs 2 (at PHI)
    • Jan. 18, 2018 – Flyers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • Nov. 24, 2018 – Maple Leafs 6, Flyers 0 (at TOR)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Maple Leafs 
    • Claude Giroux – 32 GP, 11 G, 19 A, 30 P
    • Scott Laughton – 8 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 P
    • Travis Konecny – 7 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
    • Jake Voracek – 24 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 17 P
    • Brian Elliott – 17 GP, 8-6-1, 2.63 GAA, .908 SV%

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