Game 70 Preview: Flyers host league-leading Blues

The Flyers face the Blues for the first time since October 22, 2011. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)

With just 12 games to go in the regular season, the Flyers recent test continues with the NHL's best team. The St. Louis Blues come to Philadelphia for the first time since Oct. 22, 2011, leading all NHL teams with 101 points. 

Both teams enter Saturday's 1 p.m. start with great success in the last 10 games. The Blues are 8-1-1 in their last 10, despite losing 4-0 to Chicago on Wednesday in their last game. The Flyers, winners in four straight are 7-2-1 since returning from the Olympic break.

Speaking of Olympians, the Blues feature two U.S. stars up front. T.J. Oshie leads the team with 54 points and 37 assists. David Backes is fourth on the team with 49 points, but second with 23 goals.

Alexander Steen is always a scoring threat, leading the way with 30 goals. Jaden Schwartz has also put together a nice season with 21 goals and 51 points.

12 players have at least 20 points for the Blues, including defensemen Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk and Jay Bouwmeester and forward Patrik Berglund.

The Blues also made a trade deadline splash acquiring Derek Roy, Steve Ott and Ryan Miller. Miller will get another start. He is 7-1-1 in nine games since being traded to the Blues with a 1.92 GAA and .923 save percentage.

The Flyers four-game winning streak has been powered by strong play from the forwards of late.

Wayne Simmonds has six points in the last four games, including four goals. Matt Read and Scott Hartnell each have four points during the winning streak. Claude Giroux leads all players with seven points in his last four games, six of them assists.

Defensively, the Flyers have played some of their best hockey of late, all in the time that Andrew MacDonald joined the fold. 

Steve Mason will get another start in goal. He is 29-16-6 with a 2.56 GAA and a .915 save percentage.

Game Notes

• Power Play: Flyers (10^th, 25^th at home), Blues (T-5^th, 7^th on road)
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (8^th, T-15^th at home), Blues (4^th, 2^nd on road)
• The Flyers last faced the Blues on Oct. 22, 2011, picking up a 4-2 win. St. Louis is the only team the Flyers have not faced this season. 
• Milestone Watch: Vincent Lecavalier needs two goals for 400 in his career. Jake Voracek needs three goals to reach 100 in his career.

Flyers scratches: Erik Gustafsson, Hal Gill, Jay Rosehill 

Flyers Projected Lineup

Line 1: Scott Hartnell-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Vincent Lecavalier-Brayden Schenn-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Steve Downie
Line 4: Zac Rinaldo-Michael Raffl-Adam Hall

D-Pair 1: Kimmo Timonen-Braydon Coburn
D-Pair 2: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 3: Andrew MacDonald-Luke Schenn

Goalie: Steve Mason

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.