Flyers-Panthers: Game 6 Preview

10-17-2017_FlyersvsPanthers_edit2_credKateFrese-22

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers played four of their first five games against Western Conference opponents. This week, they get a heavy dose of the Eastern Conference for the first time.

First up is the Florida Panthers, a team that just barely missed the playoffs a season ago. Florida is still in search of their first win of the season entering Tuesday's contest, with losses in their first three games.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Florida Panthers GP G A P
Jake Voracek 5 2 6 8 Evgenii Dadonov 3 1 2 3
Claude Giroux 5 1 5 6 Vincent Trocheck 5 1 2 3
Wayne Simmonds 5 3 1 4 Aleksander Barkov 5 1 1 2
Radko Gudas 4 0 4 4 Jonathan Huberdeau 5 1 1 2
Scott Laughton 5 3 0 3 Keith Yandle 5 0 2 2
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek 16 Aleksander Barkov
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 6 A, 8 P, -1 Last 5 Games: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, +2
 
It's his night, what with the Chia Pet giveaway and all, but Jake Voracek's also been the most productive Flyer this season with eight points in five games. That said, Voracek seemed to be one of the few players who didn't have a glorious scoring chance in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Vegas. He seems poised to step up and have another big game.
 
He's shifty, he's got speed, he's got skill and now he's the captain. Aleksander Barkov is one of the game's very talented young players and he's always dangerous at the forefront of the Florida top line. Much like the rest of his teammates, it's a slow start in three games for him, but that can change quickly.
 
Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 39 Michael Hutchinson
1-3-0, 3.80 GAA, .883 SV% 0-0-0, -.– GAA, — SV%

Brian Elliott is back between the pipes for his fifth start of the season. He was solid in the last start, making 20 saves, but suffered the tough 1-0 loss.

The Panthers have used James Reimer in the wake of Roberto Luongo's injury. Reimer has allowed eight goals in the last two games. Trying to change the end result, the Panthers will use Michael Hutchinson in goal for Tuesday's game. He makes his first start of the season.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Nolan Patrick, James van Riemsdyk, Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Corban Knight, Andrew MacDonald

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
23 Oskar Lindblom 40 Jordan Weal 11 Travis Konecny
21 Scott Laughton 24 Mikhail Vorobyev 17 Wayne Simmonds
12 Michael Raffl 15 Jori Lehtera 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
8 Robert Hagg 26 Christian Folin  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

Christian Folin will get his second start as a Flyer, taking the place of Andrew MacDonald. While MacDonald is technically a healthy scratch, he came back from an injury with a six-week timetable very early and has struggled since, so that may still be a lingering thing. Corban Knight was activated on Tuesday and did take warmups, but sits out as a healthy scratch.

Panthers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Roberto Luongo, Derek MacKenzie

Scratches: Mike Matheson, Troy Brouwer

Left Wing Center Right Wing
63 Evgenii Dadonov 16 Aleksander Barkov 27 Nick Bjugstad
11 Jonathan Huberdeau 21 Vincent Trocheck 62 Denis Malgin
72 Frank Vatrano 90 Jared McCann 68 Mike Hoffman
78 Maxim Mamin 91 Juho Lammikko 7 Colton Sceviour
Defense    
3 Keith Yandle 5 Aaron Ekblad  
13 Mark Pysyk 6 Alex Petrovic  
55 Bogdan Kiselevich 52 MacKenzie Weegar  
Goalie    
34 James Reimer    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-15th, T-10th at home), Panthers (T-29th, T-24th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (24th, T-18th at home), Panthers (26th, T-1st on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Panthers
    • Oct. 17, 2017 – Flyers 5, Panthers 1 (at PHI)
    • Dec. 28, 2017 – Panthers 3, Flyers 2 (at FLA)
    • March 4, 2018 – Panthers 4, Flyers 1 (at FLA)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Panthers
    • Travis Konecny – 5 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 7 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
    • Claude Giroux – 34 GP, 7 G, 15 A, 22 P
    • Brian Elliott – 10 GP, 6-3-0, 2.41 GAA, .919 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Jake Voracek needs two assists to pass John LeClair for 12th all-time in Flyers history.

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

Video Preview

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