Claude Giroux against Chicago last season. (Photo by Amy Irvin/38Photography)
The Philadelphia Flyers (1-2-2) will look to make it two wins in a row tonight as they take on the Blackhawks (3-0-1) in Chicago.
Last season the teams split their season series with each team winning at home. Both teams come into tonight with an extra day's rest coming off overtime wins on Saturday. The Flyers prevailed 6-5 in Dallas while the Hawks came away with a 2-1 decision at home against Nashville.
The rest couldn't have come at a better time as the Flyers last three games have all gone to overtime. The opening face-off of tonight's game is at 8:30 p.m.
Philadelphia is led offensively by the trio of Jakub Voracek, two goals and seven points, Claude Giroux, two goals and seven points, and Wayne Simmonds, five goals and seven points. Those three will look to continue to lead the way.
Sean Couturier and Michael Raffl each notched their second goals of the season Saturday in Dallas. Saturday also saw Brayden Schenn get his first of the season. Schenn along with Couturier, Raffl and others will need to continue to supply secondary scoring for the Flyers to be consistently successful.
Braydon Coburn appears ready for his return tonight. He we will be a welcome addition to the often criticized defense corp and the timing couldn't be any better. The Flyers have a difficult back to back as they play the Penguins in Pittsburgh tomorrow.
Chicago is led by the dynamic duo of Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane. Despite their relatively slow start, Toews has four points, Kane has three. Even with slow starts, you cannot rest against those two. In addition, Chicago has scoring depth with Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Brandon Saad, and Andrew Shaw. They are led defensively by perennial Norris Trophy candidate Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrooke and goaltender Corey Crawford.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (2nd, 6th on road), Blackhawks (19th, T-17th at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-21st, 29th on road), Blackhawks (12th, T-10th at home)
- The Flyers are 56-44-30 all time against Chicago.
- Milestone Watch: Jakub Voracek needs just two more points for 300 in his career. Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn needs one point for 100 in his career.
Projected Flyers Lineup
Scratches: Vincent Lecavalier, Jason Akeson, Nick Schultz
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: R.J. Umberger-Sean Couturier-Matt Read
Line 3: Brayden Schenn-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Wayne Simmonds
Line 4: Zac Rinaldo-Chris Vandevelde-Blair Jones
D-Pair 1: Andrew MacDonald-Braydon Coburn
D-Pair 2: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 3: Michael Del Zotto-Luke Schenn
Goalie: Steve Mason
Where to Watch
TV: NBCSN/CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Wtfd103074.
