After a California road trip that saw the Flyers play sluggishly, claim zero of six possible points and plummet in the Metropolitan Division standings, they return to Wells Fargo Center for a matchup against a premier opponent.
The Montreal Canadiens (22-15-3) come to Philadelphia reeling off of a marquee win. They opened the 2016 portion of the NHL's schedule with a sound 5-1 win over Boston in the Winter Classic, after a December that has seen them struggle.
Tonight begins a stretch of four home games in a five-game span for the Flyers (15-15-7). If they're looking to bounce back into the playoff mix, Wells Fargo Center is a nice place to do it, as they've accrued an 8-5-4 record and 20 points on home ice this season.
The Flyers and Habs face off from Wells Fargo Center tonight at 7:30 p.m.
| Flyers Leaders | GP | G | A | P | Canadiens Leaders | GP | G | A | P |
| Claude Giroux | 37 | 12 | 17 | 29 | Max Pacioretty | 40 | 16 | 15 | 31 |
| Jake Voracek | 37 | 4 | 21 | 25 | Tomas Plekanec | 40 | 8 | 22 | 30 |
| Wayne Simmonds | 37 | 9 | 12 | 21 | P.K. Subban | 40 | 1 | 26 | 27 |
| Brayden Schenn | 35 | 8 | 8 | 16 | Alex Galchenyuk | 40 | 9 | 17 | 26 |
| Sean Couturier | 31 | 6 | 9 | 15 | Andrei Markov | 40 | 2 | 19 | 21 |
| Player to Watch | |
| 93 Jakub Voracek | 11 Brendan Gallagher |
| Last 5 Games: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, +2 | Last 5 Games: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, +1 |
| Goalie Matchup | |
| 30 Michal Neuvirth | 40 Ben Scrivens |
| 8-5-2, 2.06 GAA, .937 SV% | 0-1-0, 3.10 GAA, .900 SV% |
Michal Neuvirth will return between the pipes for a second-consecutive game, after a 30-save performance against the Kings. Despite a pedestrian 5-4-1 record in 11 career games against the Canadiens, Neuvirth has posted decent numbers, including a 2.09 GAA and .929 save percentage.
The Flyers will catch a lucky break, as they will not face the defending Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy winner Price. Price has yet to begin on-ice work in his recovery from a lower-body injury, according to coach Michel Therrien. The Habs will start newly-acquired Ben Scrivens (who they snagged from Edmonton on Dec. 28), in his second game platooning with Mike Condon. Scrivens had spent the season with the American League's Bakersfield Condors, where he posted a 2-6-1 record, 3.47 GAA and .893 SP.
Flyers Projected Lineup:
Scratches: Brandon Manning, Vincent Lecavalier, Evgeny Medvedev
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| 93 Jake Voracek | 28 Claude Giroux | 17 Wayne Simmonds |
| 12 Michael Raffl | 14 Sean Couturier | 10 Brayden Schenn |
| 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 | 32 Mark Streit | |
| 53 Shayne Gostisbehere | 22 Luke Schenn | |
| Goalie | ||
| 30 Michal Neuvirth |
Dave Hakstol utilized seven defensemen in Saturday's game against the Kings, and Matt Read was left as the odd man out. He also shuffled the lines in Monday's practice, returning Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds to the top line. While Hakstol hinted earlier in the week that the Orange and Black may utilize six pointmen again, that will not be the case, as Matt Read will return to the lineup over Evgeny Medvedev.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (27th, 29th at home), Canadiens (17th, 19th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (26th, 23rd at home), Canadiens (4th, 14th on road)
- Recent History vs. Canadiens:
- Feb. 10, 2015 – The Flyers lost to the Canadiens, 3-2, in overtime. Matt Read scored the Flyers' lone goal, while Tomas Plekanec tied it in the third period and David Desharnais netted the overtime winner. Ray Emery made 39 saves, compared to Carey Price's 23.
- Nov. 15, 2014 - The Flyers fell to the Canadiens, 6-3. P-A Parenteau and Dale Weise each scored two goals, while Desharnais and P.K. Subban scored as well. Brayden Schenn scored two goals, while Read netted one on the power play. Emery made 22 saves, and Price stopped 26 pucks.
- Oct. 28, 2014 - The Flyers jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a goal from Michael Raffl and two from Wayne Simmonds, but Andrei Markov, Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk each scored in the third stanza to tie the game. The Canadiens won the shootout. Price made 29 saves, and Emery made 35.
- Flyers leaders vs. Canadiens
- Vincent Lecavalier – 58 games, 20 goals, 25 games, 45 points
- Jakub Voracek – 16 games, 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points
- Claude Giroux – 22 games, 7 goals, 8 assists, 15 points
- Steve Mason - 3 games, 3-0-0, 1.63 GAA, .936 SV%
- Milestone Watch
- Jake Voracek: 3 points to reach 400 for career
- Mark Streit: 7 points to reach 400 for career
Where to Watch
TV: NBCSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
