Flyers

Flyers-Penguins: Game 25 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
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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

Published01 Dec 2018

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3-7-2018_FlyersvsPens_2ndedit_credKateFrese-8

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Penguins: Game 25 Preview

It's been three days since the Flyers took the ice for a game, and it's still been plenty eventful with all the happenings within the organization as the team looks for a new GM.

The Flyers will be back on the ice on Saturday before another extended break with four days between games. A lot more could change in that time. In the meantime, the current team faces the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team that has certainly had its struggles this season. But last season's playoff series, when the Flyers were heavily outplayed by the Penguins, is still in recent memory.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Pittsburgh Penguins GP G A P
Claude Giroux 24 8 21 29 Evgeni Malkin 24 9 21 30
Sean Couturier 24 10 8 18 Sidney Crosby 21 13 15 28
Jake Voracek 24 6 12 18 Phil Kessel 24 10 18 28
Travis Konecny 24 7 8 15 Jake Guentzel 24 11 9 20
Wayne Simmonds 23 9 4 13 Kris Letang 23 5 15 20
 
Player to Watch
19 Nolan Patrick 87 Sidney Crosby
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, -4 Last 5 Games: 5 G, 4 A, 9 P, +3
 
The last few games have been a struggle for Nolan Patrick. The Flyers need the second-line center to start adding some production to his game, or he may be in danger of heading to the third line. 
 
Sidney Crosby has been his usual self in the last five games, scoring a hat trick on Wednesday and totaling nine points in the last five games. Obviously, against the Flyers, expect him to find his way to the scoresheet in some way.
 
Goalie Matchup
41 Anthony Stolarz 1 Casey DeSmith
2 GP, 0-1-0, 3.40 GAA, .898 SV% 15 GP, 6-3-3, 2.41 GAA, .924 SV%

Anthony Stolarz gets a second straight start on Saturday. Stolarz played well on Tuesday before allowing three goals in the final five shots faced in the loss to Ottawa. He gets another shot against the Penguins.

With Matt Murray on the shelf, Casey DeSmith has served as the Penguins primary goalie and he's been solid this season with six wins and a 2.41 GAA.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Corban Knight

Scratches: Jordan Weal, Andrew MacDonald

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
25 James van Riemsdyk 19 Nolan Patrick 17 Wayne Simmonds
93 Jake Voracek 21 Scott Laughton 12 Michael Raffl
22 Dale Weise 15 Jori Lehtera 23 Oskar Lindblom
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 8 Robert Hagg  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 26 Christian Folin  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
41 Anthony Stolarz    

Lineup Notes

The Flyers are trying a new-look second line with James van Riemsdyk back on left wing with Nolan Patrick at center and Wayne Simmonds at right wing. Jake Voracek was moved to the third line with Scott Laughton and Michael Raffl. Jori Lehtera comes back in the lineup as the fourth-line center. Jordan Weal comes out of the lineup. Defensively, Christian Folin re-entered the lineup for Andrew MacDonald.

Penguins Projected Lineup

Injuries: Justin Schultz, Matt Murray, Patric Hornqvist, Matt Cullen

Scratches: Derek Grant, Chad Ruhwedel

Left Wing Center Right Wing
59 Jake Guentzel 87 Sidney Crosby 12 Dominik Simon
14 Tanner Pearson 71 Evgeni Malkin 81 Phil Kessel
46 Zach Aston-Reese 19 Derick Brassard 17 Bryan Rust
10 Garrett Wilson 15 Riley Sheahan 41 Daniel Sprong
Defense    
8 Brian Dumoulin 58 Kris Letang  
73 Jack Johnson 6 Jamie Oleksiak  
3 Olli Maatta 50 Juuso Riikola  
Goalie    
1 Casey DeSmith    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (26th, 23rd on road), Penguins (8th, 28th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 28th on road), Penguins (6th, 20th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Penguins
    • Nov. 27, 2017 – Penguins 5, Flyers 4 (F/OT) (at PIT)
    • Jan. 2, 2018 – Penguins 5, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
    • March 7, 2018 – Penguins 5, Flyers 2 (at PHI)
    • March 25, 2018 – Penguins 5, Flyers 4 (F/OT) (at PIT)
    • 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs
      • Game 1 – April 11, 2018 – Penguins 7, Flyers 0 (at PIT)
      • Game 2 – April 13, 2018 – Flyers 5, Penguins 1 (at PIT)
      • Game 3 – April 15, 2018 – Penguins 5, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
      • Game 4 – April 18, 2018 – Penguins 5, Flyers 0 (at PHI)
      • Game 5 – April 20, 2018 – Flyers 4, Penguins 2 (at PIT)
      • Game 6 – April 22, 2018 – Penguins 8, Flyers 5 (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Penguins
    • Claude Giroux – 44 GP, 14 G, 31 A, 45 P
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 12 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 P
    • Jake Voracek – 36 GP, 18 G, 17 A, 35 P
    • Wayne Simmonds – 32 GP, 13 G, 11 A, 24 P
  • Milestone Watch
    • James van Riemsdyk needs three points to reach 400 in his career.
    • Jori Lehtera will play in his 300th NHL game tonight.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic