In a matchup in December, a Flyers miscue at center ice provided the Sharks an odd-man rush in which Matt Nieto scored the game-winner with just 11 seconds to go in the game.
The Flyers will look to avenge that tough 2-1 loss in San Jose back as they take on the Sharks at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.
The Sharks come into today's game with 80 points, but well off the pace for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Surprisingly, they have more road wins (19) then home wins (17) but have struggled to play consistent hockey despite an outstanding year by Joe Pavelski and his team-leading 35 goals.
The Flyers are coming off an excellent 4-1 home win versus the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night but lost two starters for the remainder of the season in the process.
Both Wayne Simmonds and Andrew MacDonald suffered season-ending injuries in that game. The Flyers have called up defenseman Brandon Manning from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to fill MacDonald’s spot and it is likely that Vincent Lecavalier will re-enter the lineup in place of Simmonds.
The Flyers hope the scoring from the supporting cast will continue as left wing Michael Raffl has scored three goals in his last four games and now has 19 on the season. His next goal will give the Flyers four 20-goal scorers this season, joining Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek and Simmonds.
The Sharks announced on Friday that Alex Stalock will start in goal for the Sharks instead of regular Antti Niemi. Stalock is 6-7-1 with a 2.65 GAA. For the Flyers, Steve Mason is expected to get the call in net.
The Sharks are 9-13 in Saturday games this season, while the Flyers are 12-9.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (4th, 3rd at home), Sharks (6th, 19th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (27th, 18th at home), Sharks (24th, 25th on road)
Flyers scratches: Luke Schenn, Wayne Simmonds, Andrew MacDonald
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jakub Voracek
Line 2: Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Brayden Schenn
Line 3: Ryan White-Nick Cousins-Zac Rinaldo
Line 4: Chris Vandevelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Vincent Lecavalier
D-Pair 1: Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Michael Del Zotto-Carlo Colaiacovo
D-Pair 3: Nicklas Grossmann-Brandon Manning
Goalie: Steve Mason
Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Mike Watson is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @mwats_99.
