Writer: Kevin Durso
Game 4 Preview: Flyers set to face defending Cup champion Blackhawks
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 DursoPublished14 Oct 2015
The Flyers opened the season by facing the defending Eastern Conference champions in Tampa Bay and took that game to overtime.
On Wednesday, the Flyers get their shot at the defending Stanley Cup champions on home ice.
The Chicago Blackhawks are in town for the Flyers fourth game of the season. The opening face-off is set for 8 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Following a 1-0 win on Monday, the Flyers will not be making any changes to the lineup. That means that Radko Gudas will remain in the lineup on defense and Sam Gagner gets another game on a line with Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn. That line accounted for the only goal in Monday's win.
Even if Dave Hakstol had thought about juggling the line any following the team's first win, there was no question who would be in goal. Michal Neuvirth gets a follow-up start to his 31-save shutout from Monday. Steve Mason skated with the team on Wednesday morning after missing the previous two days due to a family matter. Despite that, Jason LaBarbera will remain the back-up for Wednesday night's game.
Chicago comes in with a two-game winning streak following an opening night loss to the Rangers. The Blackhawks have not played since Saturday's 4-1 win over the New York Islanders.
The Blackhawks are led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Kane leads the team with six points, three goals and three assists.
Second on the team in points is rookie Artemi Panarin. Panarin has four points including two goals.
Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Teuvo Teravainen and Trevor van Riemsdyk each have two points.
In goal, expect Corey Crawford to get the start. Crawford is 1-1-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .921 save percentage in two starts.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (T-17th, T-20th at home), Blackhawks (21st, T-7th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-17th, T-1st at home), Blackhawks (T-1st, T-1st on road)
- The Flyers and Blackhawks split the two games in the 2014-15 season with each team winning on home ice. The Blackhawks rolled to a 4-0 win on October 21 in Chicago, while the Flyers picked up a 4-1 win on March 25. Wayne Simmonds, Ryan White, Claude Giroux and Michael Raffl scored in the Flyers win.
- Flyers leaders vs. Blackhawks
- Claude Giroux – 8 games, 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points
- Jake Voracek – 23 games, 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points
- Sam Gagner – 29 games, 10 goals, 13 assists, 23 points
- Michal Neuvirth – 2 games, 0-2-0, 4.02 GAA, .862 Sv%
- Milestone Watch: Mark Streit needs three points to reach 100 as a Flyer. Wednesday's game marks the 500th NHL game for Claude Giroux.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Brayden Schenn-Sean Couturier-Sam Gagner
Line 3: Matt Read-Scott Laughton-Wayne Simmonds
Line 4: Chris VandeVelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Ryan White
D-Pair 1: Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Michael Del Zotto-Evgeny Medvedev
D-Pair 3: Brandon Manning-Radko Gudas
Goalie: Michal Neuvirth
Scratches: Luke Schenn, Vincent Lecavalier, R.J. Umberger
Where to Watch
TV: NBCSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
