Flyers

Flyers-Sabres: Game 21 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

Published21 Nov 2018

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12-14-2017_FlyersvsSabres_2nd_credKateFrese

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Sabres: Game 21 Preview

The Flyers ended a five-game homestand on a sour note. Despite a wild four-goal comeback in the final 10 minutes of regulation to force overtime, a 6-5 loss in overtime to Tampa Bay left them with a 2-2-1 record on the homestand after opening with two wins.

The Flyers now hit the road for the first of three games in four days, traveling to face the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres are coming off a comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, their sixth straight win. It has them in third place in the Atlantic Division standings, just two points out of first in the division.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Buffalo Sabres GP G A P
Claude Giroux 20 7 17 24 Jack Eichel 21 5 19 24
Jake Voracek 20 5 12 17 Jeff Skinner 21 14 8 22
Sean Couturier 20 8 6 14 Jason Pominville 21 9 8 17
Wayne Simmonds 20 8 3 11 Sam Reinhart 21 2 12 14
Shayne Gostisbehere 20 3 8 11 Kyle Okposo 21 5 8 13
 
Player to Watch
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Jeff Skinner
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 1 A, 1 P, +2 Last 5 Games: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, +1
 
It hasn't been the greatest season for Ivan Provorov. Getting the No. 1 defenseman back to form is going to be critical for the Flyers success. The Sabres have several scoring threats and Provorov's defensive ability needs to be on point. 
 
In addition to leading the Sabres with 14 goals this season, Jeff Skinner has 13 career goals against the Flyers. He's a scoring threat anywhere on the ice and the Flyers need to keep an eye on him throughout the game.
 
Goalie Matchup
34 Alex Lyon 40 Carter Hutton
0-0-0, -.– GAA, — SV% 9-6-1, 2.61 GAA, .917 SV%

Alex Lyon makes his first start of the season for the Flyers. Lyon made 11 appearances last season, posting a 4-2-1 record and 2.75 GAA. This is his first appearance against the Sabres in his career.

Carter Hutton has been between the pipes for most of the six-game winning streak for the Sabres. He will get another start on Wednesday night against the Flyers.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michael Raffl, Brian Elliott, Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Christian Folin, Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
23 Oskar Lindblom 19 Nolan Patrick 93 Jake Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk 40 Jordan Weal 17 Wayne Simmonds
22 Dale Weise 15 Jori Lehtera 21 Scott Laughton
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 8 Robert Hagg  
47 Andrew MacDonald 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
34 Alex Lyon    

Lineup Notes

Jori Lehtera returns to the lineup in the fourth-line center role. Scott Laughton moves to right wing. Nicolas Aube-Kubel comes out of the lineup.

Sabres Projected Lineup

Injuries: Patrik Berglund, Marco Scandella, Scott Wilson

Scratches: Remi Elie

Left Wing Center Right Wing
53 Jeff Skinner 9 Jack Eichel 29 Jason Pominville
43 Conor Sheary 37 Casey Mittelstadt 21 Kyle Okposo
72 Tage Thompson 17 Vladimir Sobotka 23 Sam Reinhart
71 Evan Rodrigues 28 Zemgus Girgensons 22 Johan Larsson
Defense    
19 Jake McCabe 55 Rasmus Ristolainen  
26 Rasmus Dahlin 4 Zach Bogosian  
82 Nathan Beaulieu 8 Casey Nelson  
Goalie    
40 Carter Hutton    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (24th, 21st on road), Sabres (22nd, 11th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 29th on road), Sabres (6th, 8th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Sabres
    • Dec. 14, 2017 – Flyers 2, Sabres 1 (at PHI)
    • Dec. 22, 2017 – Sabres 4, Flyers 2 (at BUF)
    • Jan. 7, 2018 – Flyers 4, Sabres 1 (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Sabres
    • Claude Giroux – 33 GP, 5 G, 25 A, 30 P
    • Jake Voracek – 26 GP, 3 G, 16 A, 19 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 32 GP, 13 G, 6 A, 19 P
    • Cal Pickard – 3 GP, 1-1-0, 1.40 GAA, .949 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Claude Giroux needs one assist to pass Brian Propp for 2nd all-time in Flyers history.
    • James van Riemsdyk needs three points to reach 400 in his career.

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