Flyers-Senators: Game 10 Preview

3-28-2017_FlyersvsSens_1st_credKateFrese-21

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It took nine games, but the Flyers finally had a forgettable effort and performance on Tuesday night, closing out a five-game homestand with a 6-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

Now the schedule turns to the road, as the Flyers will play four of their next five games on opposing ice. The first game comes Thursday night, as the Flyers take on the Ottawa Senators.

Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Ottawa Senators GP G A P
Jake Voracek 9 0 12 12 Derick Brassard 9 6 4 10
Claude Giroux 9 5 6 11 Mark Stone 9 5 4 9
Shayne Gostisbehere 9 1 10 11 Mike Hoffman 9 3 3 6
Sean Couturier 9 6 3 9 Erik Karlsson 4 0 6 6
Wayne Simmonds 9 6 3 9 Chris Wideman 9 3 2 5
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek 65 Erik Karlsson
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 6 A, 6 P, +5 Last 5 Games: 0 G, 6 A, 6 P, -1
 
The only thing Jake Voracek hasn't done this season is score himself, but he keeps setting up teammates and that first goal has to be coming soon. With nine in his career against the Senators, Thursday night might be his night to finally break into the goal column.
 
Erik Karlsson is only playing his fifth game of the season after missing five games still recovering from offseason foot surgery. That said, the dominant blue liner hasn't missed a beat since returning, always looking dangerous with the puck and playing big minutes to be the great combination of offensive driver and shut-down defender.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth 41 Craig Anderson
1-2-0, 1.36 GAA, .957 SV% 3-1-3, 2.48 GAA, .915 SV%

The record doesn't justify the performance for Michal Neuvirth. Neuvirth has played extremely well in three starts this season, but two of those games were shutout losses for the Flyers, including a 1-0 goalie duel against Nashville last Thursday.

Craig Anderson is off to a good start on his season, with three wins and three overtime losses in the first seven starts of his season. Anderson's last start came in a convincing 6-3 Ottawa win over Toronto last Saturday.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Andrew MacDonald (lower-body, 4-6 weeks)

Scratches: Taylor Leier, Matt Read

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
40 Jordan Weal 51 Valtteri Filppula 17 Wayne Simmonds
15 Jori Lehtera 19 Nolan Patrick 11 Travis Konecny
22 Dale Weise 21 Scott Laughton 12 Michael Raffl
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
6 Travis Sanheim 8 Robert Hagg  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
30 Michal Neuvirth    

Lineup Notes

The Flyers have once again shuffled defensive pairs. Shayne Gostisbehere will play alongside Ivan Provorov on the top pairing. Travis Sanheim remains on the left side with Robert Hagg on a new-look pairing. Radko Gudas and Brandon Manning will also play together.

The Flyers forward lines appear to be the same as the previous game. The most notable player in the lineup is Nolan Patrick, who left Tuesday's game early after taking a hit in the corner where his head hit the glass. Patrick was back in practice on Wednesday and is good to go for Thursday, a great sign for the Flyers.

Senators Projected Lineup

Injuries: Bobby Ryan (finger), Kyle Turris (illness), Zack Smith (upper-body)

Scratches: Jack Rodewald

Left Wing Center Right Wing
14 Alex Burrows 19 Derick Brassard 61 Mark Stone
17 Nate Thompson 44 Jean-Gabriel Pageau 18 Ryan Dzingel
68 Mike Hoffman 78 Filip Chlapik 10 Tom Pyatt
89 Max McCormick 49 Chris DiDomenico  
Defense    
29 Johnny Oduya 65 Erik Karlsson 74 Mark Borowiecki 
2 Dion Phaneuf 5 Cody Ceci  
33 Fredrik Claesson 6 Chris Wideman  
Goalie    
41 Craig Anderson    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (11th, T-9th on road), Senators (15th, T-26th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (19nd, 29th on road), Senators (1st, 10th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Senators
    • Nov. 15, 2016 – Senators 3, Flyers 2 (SO)
    • Dec. 1, 2016 – Flyers 3, Senators 2 (OT)
    • March 28, 2017 – Flyers 3, Senators 2 (SO)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Senators
    • Jake Voracek – 22 GP, 8 G, 9 A, 17 P
    • Wayne Simmonds – 21 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 16 P
    • Jordan Weal – 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 P
    • Michal Neuvirth – 7 GP, 4-1-1, 1.85 GAA
  • Milestone Watch
    • Wayne Simmonds needs one assist to reach 200 for his career.
    • Shayne Gostisbehere needs four points to reach 100 for his career.

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

Go to top button