Photographer: Kate Frese
Game 31 Preview: Voracek gets new linemates, Flyers host Hurricanes again
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 DursoPublished15 Dec 2015
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 |
| 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.
