(Kate Frese/SB Nation)
The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to avenge a heartbreaking, yet frustrating loss just nine days ago to the Nashville Predators at 7 p.m. from the Wells Fargo Center.
By Dan Heaning, Sports Talk Philly staff writer
The Philadelphia Flyers look to avenge a heartbreaking and frustrating loss to the Nashville Predators tonight at 7 p.m. from the Wells Fargo Center.
Just nine days ago, the Orange and Black surrendered a 5-3 lead in the third period to these same Predators. A pair of late penalties by Dale Weise and Andrew MacDonald put Nashville up two men, and eventually, three men with the goalie pulled. Scott Hartnell capitalized on the power play but head coach Dave Hakstol challenged the play was offside. The goal was upheld and the Flyers were penalized for delaying the game. The Predators eventually won the game shortly after the MacDonald minor expired.
Philadelphia will look to avoid such a wacky ending this time around, but this young season has been full of surprises, to say the least thus far.
Team Leaders
Philadelphia Flyers | GP | G | A | P | Nashville Predators | GP | G | A | P |
Shayne Gostisbehere | 6 | 1 | 9 | 10 | Filip Forsberg | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
Jake Voracek | 6 | 0 | 10 | 10 | P.K. Subban | 6 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
Claude Giroux | 6 | 4 | 5 | 9 | Viktor Arvidsson | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
Wayne Simmonds | 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | Scott Hartnell | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Sean Couturier | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | Ryan Johansen | 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Player to Watch | |
14 Sean Couturier | 9 Filip Forsberg |
Last 5 Games: 4 G, 2 A, 6 P, +7 | Last 5 Games: 4 G, 4 A, 8 P, +2 |
Goalie Matchup | |
30 Michal Neuvirth | 35 Pekka Rinne |
1-1-0, 1.51 GAA, .956 SV% | 3-1-1, 2.42 GAA, .919 SV% |
Michal Neuvirth deservingly gets the nod. In his two starts, Neuvirth has made some spectacular saves and posted superior numbers to Brian Elliott. Neuvirth comes into the game with a lifetime record of 3-0-1 against the Predators posting a 1.44 GAA and .955 save percentage.
Pekka Rinne has been on a roll after a rocky start to the season. Rinne gave up eight goals, including five against the Flyers, in his first two games. Since then, Rinne has surrendered four markers in three contests en route to stopping 83 shots in the same span. He is 5-2-2 with a 2.91 GAA and .906 save percentage in nine career games against the Flyers.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Brandon Manning
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
28 Claude Giroux | 14 Sean Couturier | 93 Jake Voracek |
40 Jordan Weal | 51 Valtteri Filppula | 17 Wayne Simmonds |
22 Dale Weise | 19 Nolan Patrick | 11 Travis Konecny |
20 Taylor Leier | 21 Scott Laughton | 12 Michael Raffl |
Defense | ||
9 Ivan Provorov | 47 Andrew MacDonald | |
6 Travis Sanheim | 3 Radko Gudas | |
53 Shayne Gostisbehere | 8 Robert Hagg | |
Goalie | ||
30 Michal Neuvirth |
Lineup Notes
Travis Sanheim gets back on the ice at the expense of Brandon Manning. Despite an injury scare, Wayne Simmonds is expected to suit up for the Flyers so Jori Lehtera remains in the press box.
Predators Projected Lineup
Injuries: Ryan Ellis (knee, out until January), Yannick Weber (lower body, out indefinitely), Nick Bonino (lower body, day-to-day)
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
9 Filip Forsberg | 92 Ryan Johansen | 33 Viktor Arvidsson |
22 Kevin Fiala | 10 Colton Sissons | 15 Craig Smith |
17 Scott Hartnell | 19 Calle Jarnkrok | 20 Miikka Salomaki |
55 Cody McLeod | 89 Frederick Gaudreau | 51 Austin Watson |
Defense | ||
25 Alexei Emelin | 76 P.K. Subban | |
59 Roman Josi | 14 Mattias Ekholm | |
52 Matt Irwin | 2 Matt Bitetto | |
Goalie | ||
35 Pekka Rinne |
Lineup Notes: Pontus Aberg and Samuel Girard are expected to be healthy scratches.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (7th, T-5th at home), Predators (6th, T-15th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (27th, T-8th at home), Predators (11th, 5th on road)
- Recent History vs. Predators
- Oct. 10, 2017 – Predators 6, Flyers 5
- Dec. 19, 2016 – Predators 2, Flyers 1 (SO)
- Dec. 4, 2016 – Flyers 4, Predators 2
- Milestone Watch
- Tonight will mark Dale Weise’s 400th NHL game.
- Wayne Simmonds needs two assists to reach the 200 mark.
- Jake Voracek needs two points to reach 500 in his career.
- Sean Couturier needs two points to reach 200 in his career.
- Shayne Gostisbehere needs five points to reach 100 in his career.
Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic