Flyers

Flyers vs. Penguins Preview: Opportunity Knocks

By
Kevin Durso
Author photo
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

Published25 Feb 2024

Disclosure
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.
Flyers-Penguins Away

Saturday’s hard-fought loss to the Rangers provided no help in the standings. The regulation loss to the hottest team in the NHL only makes Sunday’s game more of a critical opportunity for the Flyers.

The Flyers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, one of the teams below them in the standings. The Penguins have four games in hand, but also face a nine-point deficit to the Flyers for a playoff spot. A win in regulation could extend that gap to 11, and potentially put the Penguins out of reach as the season nears the final quarter.

Game time is at 3:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Pittsburgh Penguins GP G A P
Travis Konecny 57 27 27 54 Sidney Crosby 54 31 25 56
Joel Farabee 58 17 26 43 Jake Guentzel 50 22 30 52
Owen Tippett 54 21 14 35 Evgeni Malkin 54 16 27 43
Sean Couturier 54 11 22 33 Erik Karlsson 54 7 34 41
Travis Sanheim 57 6 26 32 Kris Letang 44 6 28 34

Flyers Penguins Players to Watch

Tyson Foerster returned to the Flyers lineup on Saturday after missing four games and made an immediate impact. He scored the lone goal for the Flyers on Saturday, marking his fourth in the last five games he has played.

Sidney Crosby continues to pace the Penguins as their top points producer. Crosby has four goals and two assists in eight games in the month of February. Crosby has 54 goals and 125 points in 86 career games against the Flyers.

Flyers Penguins Goalie Matchup

Cal Petersen is expected to get the start for the Flyers. Petersen makes his first start since Feb. 10, when he stopped 17 of 19 shots in a win against the Seattle Kraken. This is Petersen’s fourth start of the season.

Tristan Jarry is expected to start for the Penguins. Jarry made 30 saves on 31 shots in his last start, a win over the Canadiens on Thursday. The win snapped a personal three-game losing streak for Jarry. Jarry made 30 saves on 33 shots in a shootout loss to the Flyers on Dec. 2.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Lines

Flyers Scratches: Rasmus Ristolainen (injury), Travis Konecny (injury), Olle Lycksell (healthy)

Penguins Lines

Penguins Scratches: Jake Guentzel (injury), Matt Nieto (injury), Jesse Puljujarvi (healthy), John Ludvig (healthy), Matthew Phillips (healthy)

Lineup Notes

  • Flyers: Travis Konecny did not play Saturday and is not expected to play Sunday. He is day-to-day with an upper-body injury suffered in practice on Friday. Olle Lycksell was called up, giving the Flyers the option to return to a 12-6 lineup.
  • Penguins: Emil Bemstrom could make his Penguins debut after being acquired in a trade with Columbus on Thursday. No other changes are expected.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (13.0% – 31st), Penguins (13.9% – 30th)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (86.9% – 2nd), Penguins (82.4% – 8th)
  • Recent History vs. Penguins
    • Jan. 8, 2024 – Penguins 4, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
    • Dec. 4, 2023 – Flyers 2, Penguins 1 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • Dec. 2, 2023 – Flyers 4, Penguins 3 (F/SO) (at PIT)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Penguins 
    • Sean Couturier: 49 GP, 9 G, 21 A, 30 P
    • Travis Konecny: 29 GP, 11 G, 13 A, 24 P
    • Marc Staal: 61 GP, 3 G, 12 A, 15 P
    • Sam Ersson: 2 GP, 1-1-0, 2.94 GAA, .903 SV%
    • Cal Petersen: 3 GP, 2-1-0, 3.01 GAA, .901 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Joel Farabee needs two assists to reach 100 for his career.
    • Morgan Frost needs four points to reach 100 for his career.

Where to Watch

  • TV: TNT
  • Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network