Photographer: Kate Frese

Game 30 Preview: Flyers go for 5th straight road win against NHL-leading Stars

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

Published11 Dec 2015

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The Flyers all acknowledged the magnitude of a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday two days after nearly rebounding from 3-1 deficit to earn a point against the New York Islanders.

This was a demanding week for the Flyers on paper and so far, the Flyers have passed the test with two strong games. Their last comes on Friday night, as they face the NHL's current top team, the Dallas Stars.

The opening face-off from American Airlines Center is set for 8 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Stars Leaders GP G A P
Claude Giroux 29 11 16 27 Jamie Benn 28 19 20 39
Wayne Simmonds 29 7 9 16 Tyler Seguin 28 15 24 39
Jake Voracek 29 1 14 15 John Klingberg 28 5 25 30
Brayden Schenn 27 6 8 14 Patrick Sharp 28 10 12 22
Scott Laughton 29 3 6 9 Jason Spezza 28 11 8 19
 
Player to Watch
24 Matt Read 14 Jamie Benn
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 0 A, 2 P, +5 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 4 A, 6 P, +3
 
In the Flyers last few games, a lot of offensive production is happening with the second line on the ice. Matt Read only has two points in the last five games, both goals, but his hard work to set up goals shouldn't go unnoticed. 
 
Jamie Benn is leading the league in goals with 19 and had four points in his last game on Tuesday. Not much more needs to be said. He's as dangerous as they get of late and the Flyers need to shut down the top line to have any chance to win on Friday.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth 1 Antti Niemi
7-3-2, 1.99 GAA, .938 SV% 11-4-2, 2.55 GAA, .909 SV%

Michal Neuvirth is back in goal again after making 35 saves in the Flyers win on Thursday in St. Louis. Neuvirth has ranked among the league-leaders in GAA and save percentage this season.

The Flyers struggled to score on Antti Niemi in the first meeting between the two teams in October. Niemi has made the bulk of the starts for Dallas, but Dallas' defense is coming off a game where they allowed five goals.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Mark Streit, Sam Gagner, Andrew MacDonald, Vincent Lecavalier, Luke Schenn

Left Wing Center Right Wing
12 Michael Raffl 28 Claude Giroux 10 Brayden Schenn
24 Matt Read 14 Sean Couturier 17 Wayne Simmonds
76 Chris VandeVelde 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 93 Jake Voracek
20 R.J. Umberger 21 Scott Laughton 25 Ryan White
Defense    
15 Michael Del Zotto 3 Radko Gudas  
55 Nick Schultz 82 Evgeny Medvedev  
23 Brandon Manning 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
Goalie    
30 Michal Neuvirth    

No changes for the Flyers, who roll out the same lines and lineup as Thursday's win in St. Louis.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (25th, T-16th on road), Stars (2nd, T-2nd at home) 
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (22nd, 17th on road), Stars (T-16th, T-19th at home)
  • The Flyers lost to the Stars on Oct. 20, 2-1. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn scored for the Stars, Sean Couturier scored for the Flyers. Steve Mason made 30 saves on 32 shots, while Antti Niemi made 34 saves on 35 shots.
  • Flyers leaders vs. Stars
    • Claude Giroux - 10 games, 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points
    • Wayne Simmonds - 22 games, 7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points
    • Jake Voracek – 18 games, 2 goals, 10 assists, 12 points
    • Michal Neuvirth - 2 games, 0-2-0, 3.54 GAA, .877 SV%

Where to Watch
TV: TCN
Radio: 93.3 WMMR

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.