Game 31 Preview: Voracek gets new linemates, Flyers host Hurricanes again

22895464459_29ff9ea681_z

Jake Voracek is still stuck on one goal. So Dave Hakstol, having two days off, decided to shuffle the lines again. The top line remains in tact, but the rest got a new look as the Flyers get ready to come home after playing three straight games on the road.

For the third time in just over a month, the Flyers will meet the Carolina Hurricanes.

The opening face-off from Wells Fargo Center is set for 7 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Hurricanes Leaders GP G A P
Claude Giroux 30 11 17 28 Justin Faulk 30 12 13 25
Wayne Simmonds 30 7 9 16 Victor Rask 30 9 13 22
Jake Voracek 30 1 15 15 Eric Staal 30 5 13 18
Brayden Schenn 28 6 8 14 Kris Versteeg 29 4 13 17
Shayne Gostisbehere 14 5 4 9 Jeff Skinner 30 11 3 14
 
Player to Watch
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 49 Victor Rask
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, E Last 5 Games: 1 G, 6 A, 7 P, +4
 
It all started for Shayne Gostisbehere against the Hurricanes. He got a key assist on the game-tying goal for Wayne Simmonds in his first game of the season in Carolina and scored the overtime winner in the last meeting on Nov. 23.
 
Victor Rask has had similar success this season against the Flyers, scoring in both games between the two teams. He's also been one of Carolina's hottest players, with seven points in his last five games.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth 31 Eddie Lack
7-4-2, 2.00 GAA, .939 SV% 3-6-1, 3.28 GAA, .876 SV%

Michal Neuvirth gets his third straight start and second start against the Hurricanes. Neuvirth made 31 saves on 33 shots against the Hurricanes on Nov. 23. In his last three games, which includes a relief appearance on Dec. 8, Neuvirth has made 92 saves on 96 shots.

Eddie Lack is expected to get the start in goal after being the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate for Carolina. Lack made the start on Nov. 23 against the Flyers, making 33 saves on 36 shots in the Flyers overtime win. Lack allowed four goals in a win in Arizona in his last start on Saturday.

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

Jake Voracek gets a change of scenery in many ways. He moves up to the second line with Sean Couturier and Simmonds while moving to the left wing, a position he is not familiar with playing. Matt Read moves to the fourth line and Ryan White takes Voracek spot on the third line. The defensive pairs remain the same. 

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-23rd, 27th at home), Hurricanes (T-23rd, 25th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (17th, 19th at home), Hurricanes (29th, 30th on road)
  • The Flyers have won both meetings against the Hurricanes this season by the same score. The Flyers picked up a 3-2 win in Carolina on an overtime goal by Jake Voracek on Nov. 13. 10 days later, they picked up a 3-2 win in Philadelphia on an overtime goal by Shayne Gostisbehere on Nov. 23.
  • Flyers leaders vs. Hurricanes
    • Claude Giroux - 26 games, 7 goals, 19 assists, 26 points
    • Wayne Simmonds - 18 games, 9 goals, 7 assists, 16 points
    • Jake Voracek – 21 games, 4 goals, 11 assists, 15 points
    • Michal Neuvirth - 9 games, 5-2-1, 2.56 GAA, .926 SV%

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

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

Go to top button