Flyers-Senators: Game 52 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers have learned the hard way over the last three games how quickly things can changes in the tight Eastern Conference standings. They may still hold a playoff spot, but three straight losses have them clinging to that spot.

In need of a bounce-back game, the Flyers face the struggling Ottawa Senators

Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Ottawa Senators GP G A P
Jake Voracek 51 10 50 60 Mark Stone 44 18 26 44
Claude Giroux 51 15 43 58 Erik Karlsson 44 5 29 34
Sean Couturier 51 26 24 50 Mike Hoffman 49 12 20 32
Shayne Gostisbehere 47 10 25 35 Derick Brassard 49 12 16 28
Wayne Simmonds 51 17 15 32 Matt Duchene 49 11 15 26
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek 65 Erik Karlsson
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 5 A, 7 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -3
 
With seven points in the last four games, Jake Voracek has vaulted to the team lead with 60 points. He also snapped a long scoring drought on Jan. 23, and has been rolling ever since. Look for him to make an impact offensively.
 
Though he missed some time at the start of the season, Erik Karlsson has remained one of the Senators top players. It's been a disappointing year all around for the Senators, but Karlsson is still the leader of the team and with the team battling injuries, essentially the entire game runs through the captain.
 
Goalie Matchup
49 Alex Lyon 41 Craig Anderson
0-1-0, 3.58 GAA, .852 SV% 12-17-5, 3.17 GAA, .903 SV%

The Flyers will go back to Alex Lyon in goal on Saturday. Lyon allowed two third period goals to New Jersey in the Flyers loss on Thursday, but had played well up to that point. The Flyers may be giving him on more look before Brian Elliott is set to come off IR early next week.

It's been a rough go of late for Craig Anderson as well. Anderson's last two starts have been solid, allowing two goals in each, but both have been losses. He's currently on a four-game losing streak dating back to Jan. 10.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott

Scratches: Dale Weise, Mark Alt

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
93 Jake Voracek 19 Nolan Patrick 17 Wayne Simmonds
40 Jordan Weal 21 Scott Laughton 12 Michael Raffl
20 Taylor Leier 51 Valtteri Filppula 15 Jori Lehtera
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
8 Robert Hagg 47 Andrew MacDonald  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
49 Alex Lyon    

Lineup Notes

The Flyers lines remain the same on Thursday as they were in Thursday's loss.

Senators Projected Lineup

Injuries: Mark Stone, Bobby Ryan, Chris Wideman, Filip Chlapik, Gabriel Dumont

Scratches: Fredrik Claesson

Left Wing Center Right Wing
68 Mike Hoffman 95 Matt Duchene 36 Colin White
18 Ryan Dzingel 19 Derick Brassard 49 Chris DiDomenico
15 Zack Smith 44 Jean-Gabriel Pageau 10 Tom Pyatt
56 Magnus Paajarvi 17 Nate Thompson 14 Alexandre Burrows
Defense    
72 Thomas Chabot 65 Erik Karlsson  
2 Dion Phaneuf 5 Cody Ceci  
29 Johnny Oduya 74 Mark Borowiecki  
Goalie    
41 Craig Anderson    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (8th, 21st at home), Senators (28th, 28th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-29th, 29th at home), Senators (28th, 12th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Senators
    • Oct. 26, 2017 – Senators 5, Flyers 4 (at OTT)
  • Flyers leaders vs. Senators
    • Jake Voracek – 23 GP, 9 G, 10 A, 19 P
    • Sean Couturier – 19 GP, 7 G, 8 A, 15 P
    • Wayne Simmonds – 22 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 16 P

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

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