Game 15 Preview: Flyers return home to battle Colorado

Photo Courtesy of Kate Frese

The Philadelphia Flyers (5-6-3) return from a five game road to take on the Colorado Avalanche (4-9-1) at the Wells Fargo Center. Game time is 7:00. This is the first of two meetings between the two clubs and the lone game in Philadelphia. The two teams will meet in Colorado on March 24th.

The recent five game road trip did not go as the team hoped. Philadelphia amased a 1-3-1 record over the five games and were outplayed in just about every game. 

The lone bright spot over the last week would have to be the play of goaltender Michal Neuvirth. Despite going 1-2-1 on the trip, Neuvirth was outstanding. His play in net is the only reason the Flyers were even in the game in Edmonton and had a chance in Calgary. 

For the season, Neuvirth is 3-2-1 with a 1.81 goals against, a .945 save percentage with three shutouts. His three goose eggs are tops in the NHL. 

The Flyers also got their power play going in the fianle against Winnipeg scoring twice with the man advantage. The two goals were the first two power play goals since Claude Giroux's OT winner versus Boston back on October 21st.

For the season Claude Giroux, four goals and five assists, leads the team in scoring. Brayden Schenn's five goals are tops on the team.

Colorado is led by Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon is tied with Jerome Iginla for the team lead with six goals. His 15 points are four more than that of Iginla. 

Semyon Varlamov has started 10 of the first 14 games for Colorado going 3-6-1 with a 3.26 goals against average and a .890 save percentage. He figures to get the start tonight.

The Avalanche come into tonight having lost their last two and after a modest 2-2-0 start are just 2-7-1 in their last ten games. 

Do not let the record fool you. Colorado can score. The Avalanche have netted 36 goals in their 14 games and their (-)6 goal differential is five better than that of the Flyers. If the Avalanche could get more consistent goal tending on a nightly basis, they could easily be .500 or better.

Game Notes

• Power Play: Flyers (26th, 27th at home), Avalanche (13th, 30th on road) 
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (18th, 13th at home), Avalanche (13th, 16th on road)
• The two teams split last season with each team winning at home.
• The Flyers have won four straight home games against Colorado

Flyers Projected Lineup

Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: Sam Gagner-Brayden Schenn-R.J. Umberger
Line 4: Chris VandeVelde-Scott Laughton-Ryan White

D-Pair 1: Michael Del Zotto-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Nick Schultz-Luke Schenn
D-Pair 3: Radko Gudas-Brandon Manning

Goalie: Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Evgeny Medvedev, Vincent Lecavalier, Pierre Edouard Bellemare, 

Where to Watch

TV: CSN Philly

Radio: 97.5 FM

Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074