Flyers

Flyers-Predators: Game 39 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 Jan 2019

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12-20-2018_FlyersvsPredators_3rd_credKateFrese

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Predators: Game 39 Preview

It has been a trying road trip for the Flyers. After making another miraculous comeback against the Lightning to gain a point, the Flyers have dropped the last two games in regulation — one a late-game collapse in Florida and the other a lifeless New Year's Eve performance.

The Flyers start 2019 in Nashville, closing out the road trip against the Predators.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Nashville Predators GP G A P
Claude Giroux 38 13 31 44 Ryan Johansen 40 7 27 34
Jake Voracek 38 10 20 30 Roman Josi 40 7 22 29
Sean Couturier 36 14 14 28 Mattias Ekholm 39 3 22 25
Travis Konecny 38 9 12 21 Kevin Fiala 40 7 14 21
Wayne Simmonds 38 11 6 17 Craig Smith 40 10 10 20
 
Player to Watch
28 Claude Giroux 92 Ryan Johansen
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -1 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, -5
 
After an excellent game in Tampa that ended with a turnover that led to the winning goal, Claude Giroux has been held off the board in the last two games. The Flyers need the captain to get back on the board and make an impact offensively. The team has just two goals in the last two games. 
 
Ryan Johansen looked like he was on his way to a goal against the Flyers in the first meeting between the two teams. Since then, he has scored twice and added two assists for four points in his last four games, including three points in Monday's 6-3 win over Washington.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth 74 Juuse Saros 
5 GP, 1-2-1, 4.10 GAA, .865 SV% 15 GP, 8-5-1, 3.05 GAA, .894 SV%

Monday night just wasn't Carter Hart's night, allowing three goals and being pulled less than three minutes into the second period. Michal Neuvirth came on and had an impressive outing in relief. There's a good chance Tuesday's game was his anyway, but he should have earned the start in Nashville with that performance.

Juuse Saros figures to get the start for the Predators with Pekka Rinne playing in Monday's game for Nashville. Saros has a solid 8-5-1 record, but his other numbers fall significantly short of Rinne's.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Nolan Patrick, Brian Elliott, Anthony Stolarz, Corban Knight

Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Christian Folin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
25 James van Riemsdyk 28 Claude Giroux 11 Travis Konecny
12 Michael Raffl 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
21 Scott Laughton 40 Jordan Weal 17 Wayne Simmonds
23 Oskar Lindblom 44 Phil Varone 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 8 Robert Hagg  
47 Andrew MacDonald 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
30 Michal Neuvirth    

Lineup Notes

No changes are expected to the Flyers lineup following Monday's game.

Predators Projected Lineup

Injuries: Filip Forsberg, Colton Sissons, Kyle Turris, Yannick Weber

Scratches: Matt Irwin, Nicholas Baptiste 

Left Wing Center Right Wing
38 Ryan Hartman 92 Ryan Johansen 33 Viktor Arvidsson
22 Kevin Fiala 19 Calle Jarnkrok 15 Craig Smith
20 Miikka Salomaki 13 Nick Bonino 51 Austin Watson
36 Zac Rinaldo 89 Frederick Gaudreau 23 Rocco Grimaldi
Defense    
59 Roman Josi 4 Ryan Ellis  
14 Mattias Ekholm 76 P.K. Subban  
5 Dan Hamhuis 2 Anthony Bitetto  
Goalie    
74 Juuse Saros    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (31st, T-28th on road), Predators (T-25th, 23rd at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, T-28th on road), Predators (12th, 12th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Predators
    • Dec. 20, 2018 – Flyers 2, Predators 1 (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Predators
    • Claude Giroux – 16 GP, 7 G, 8 A, 15 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 12 GP, 7 G, 3 A, 10 P
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 7 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 P
    • Michal Neuvirth – 5 GP, 3-1-1, 1.36 GAA, .955 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Wayne Simmonds needs two goals to reach 200 as a Flyer.

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