Photographer: Kate Frese
Game 34 Preview: Flyers go for 3rd straight win against Wild
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 DursoPublished23 Dec 2014
The Flyers couldn't have asked for a better start to an eight-game road trip. On Tuesday night, they can continue that solid start and head home for a happy holiday with a third-straight win on the trip.
The Flyers continue the eight-game trek by meeting the Minnesota Wild. The opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.
It's been a good start to the road trip for the Flyers, who dominated Toronto in a 7-4 win on Saturday and showed great will in a 4-3 comeback win in overtime against Winnipeg on Sunday.
Two of the big reasons for success continue to be Jake Voracek and Claude Giroux. The pair continue to rank among the league leaders in points – Voracek is still first with 42 points – while getting help from teammates.
The fourth line was key in Sunday's win as Vincent Lecavalier scored twice, increasing his season total to four goals. Chris VandeVelde also performed well in Sunday's win.
On Saturday, the fourth line was quieter as the second and third lines contributed. Sean Couturier, Matt Read and R.J. Umberger have played better of late. The line of Scott Laughton, Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn has been steady as well.
In goal, the Flyers will turn to Ray Emery. Emery is 6-4-1 with a 3.13 GAA with a .894 save percentage.
Minnesota comes in with their share of struggles, going 4-3-3 in their last 10 games. The Wild did claim a last-minute win over the Flyers last month in Philadelphia.
The Wild are led by Zach Parise, who has a team-leading 26 points and is second with 13 goals. Nino Neiderreiter leads the team with 17 goals.
Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek are also scoring threats for Minnesota. Jason Zucker has 12 goals as well, including the game-winner in Philadelphia last month.
Defensively, Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon are the leaders for Minnesota. Marco Scandella and Jonas Brodin have put together solid seasons as well.
The Wild will start Niklas Backstrom in goal. Backstrom has a 5-3-3 record with a 2.58 GAA and .901 save percentage.
- Power Play: Flyers (6th, 15th on road), Wild (26th, 15th at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (27th, 30th on road), Wild (3rd, 2nd at home)
- The Flyers lost to the Wild on Nov. 20, 3-2. Mark Streit and Claude Giroux scored for the Flyers. Nino Neiderreiter, Marco Scandella and Jason Zucker scored for the Wild.
- Milestone Watch: Andrew MacDonald needs one point for 100 in his career. Sean Couturier needs two points for 100 in his career.
Flyers scratches: Steve Mason, Zac Rinaldo, Michael Del Zotto, Carlo Colaiacovo
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Wayne Simmonds-Scott Laughton-Brayden Schenn
Line 3: R.J. Umberger-Sean Couturier-Matt Read
Line 4: Chris VandeVelde–Vincent Lecavalier-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare
D-Pair 1: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Braydon Coburn-Nick Schultz
D-Pair 3: Andrew MacDonald-Luke Schenn
Goalie: Ray Emery
Where to Watch
TV: TCN
Radio: 93.3 WMMR
Kevin Durso is the Managing Editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @Kevin_Durso.
