Writer: Kevin Durso

Game 36 Preview: Streit returns as Flyers face Sharks

By
Kevin Durso
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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

Published30 Dec 2015

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Coming off of a rough return from the holiday break in Anaheim on Sunday night, the Flyers return to the ice in San Jose to continue a West coast trip against the Sharks.

The Flyers will get veteran defenseman Mark Streit back in the lineup after missing six weeks.

The opening face-off in San Jose is set for 10:30 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Sharks Leaders GP G A P
Claude Giroux 35 11 17 28 Joe Pavelski 35 18 18 36
Jake Voracek 35 4 20 24 Brent Burns 35 14 18 32
Wayne Simmonds 35 9 10 19 Patrick Marleau 35 14 12 26
Brayden Schenn 33 7 8 15 Joel Ward 33 10 14 24
Shayne Gostisbehere 19 6 8 14 Joe Thornton 35 6 18 24
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek 8 Joe Pavelski
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 5 A, 8 P, +5 Last 5 Games: 4 G, 4 A, 8 P, +1
 
It's all starting to click for Jake Voracek. Since a three-point night against Carolina on Dec. 15, Voracek has been piling up points. He enters Wednesday's game on a six-game points streak.
 
Joe Pavelski has been one of the top scorers in the NHL this season, ranking fifth with 18 goals. His 36 points also rank 10th in the league. Pavelski has two three-point games in his last five games.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth 31 Martin Jones
8-4-2, 2.06 GAA, .937 SV% 15-11-2, 2.49 GAA, .912 SV%

Michal Neuvirth makes his first start since Dec. 15, when he picked up a win over Carolina. Neuvirth continues to be a Top-5 goalie in the NHL this season, leading the league in save percentage and ranking fifth in goals against average.

Martin Jones was the star of the Sharks 1-0 win over the Flyers in November, stopping 34 shots. Since then, however, Jones has struggled. Jones is 5-6-2 since the win on Nov. 19 and has allowed three goals or more in eight of his last 13 games, including each of his last four.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Brandon Manning, Michael Del Zotto, Vincent Lecavalier

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    
32 Mark Streit 55 Nick Schultz  
3 Radko Gudas 82 Evgeny Medvedev  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 22 Luke Schenn  
Goalie    
30 Michal Neuvirth    

Streit returns to the lineup and is paired up with Nick Schultz. Brandon Manning appears to be the odd-man out on defense. Michael Del Zotto continues to nurse an upper-body injury. The Flyers forward lines remain the same.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (25th, 15th on road), Sharks (T-7th, T-23rd at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (21st, 15th on road), Sharks (14th, 30th at home)
  • Roster Note: Sam Gagner cleared waivers and was assigned to Lehigh Valley. 
  • The Flyers lost to the Sharks, 1-0, in overtime on Nov. 19. Melker Karlsson scored the lone goal. Steve Mason made 20 saves in the loss. Martin Jones made 34 saves for the shutout win.
  • Flyers leaders vs. Sharks
    • Claude Giroux - 10 games, 5 goals, 4 assists, 9 points
    • Wayne Simmonds - 23 games, 5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points
    • Jake Voracek – 17 games, 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points
    • Michal Neuvirth - 5 games, 1-3-0, 2.56 GAA, .920 SV%

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 93.3 WMMR

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