Game 23 Preview: It’s Always ‘Stolie’ in Philadelphia

By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly contributor 

One of the more touted Flyers prospects will get his shot for the Flyers, after seven call-ups and 26 games on the bench.

Anthony Stolarz, the Flyers' second-round choice in the 2012 NHL Draft, will make his first start between the pipes. In his third professional season, Stolarz will look to snap the Flyers' stretch of three losses in four games, against a middling Calgary Flames squad with some young talent of their own.
 
Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.


 

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Flames Leaders GP G A P
Wayne Simmonds 22 10 9 19 Michael Frolik 23 6 8 14
Claude Giroux 22 4 14 18 Sam Bennett 23 5 6 11
Jakub Voracek 22 7 10 17 Johnny Gaudreau 17 5 6 11
Brayden Schenn 19 3 10 13 Dougie Hamilton 23 2 8 10
Mark Streit 22 4 8 12 Troy Brouwer 23 5 4 9
 
Player to Watch
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 93 Sam Bennett
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 0 A, 1 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, +1
 
Shayne Gostisbehere showed a flair for the dramatic with a late third-period goal in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers, and since his benching last week, his ice time has been steadily increasing. 
 
With Johnny Gaudreau out of the picture, look out for one of the Flames' other exciting youngsters, Sam Bennett. The Flames'fourth-overall pick in the 2014 draft was instrumental in the Flames' 2-1 win over Boston in their last game on Friday, scoring a goal and setting up the game-winner in the third period.
 
Goalie Matchup
41 Anthony Stolarz* 31 Chad Johnson
6-2-0, 2.39 GAA, .927 SV% 7-3-1, 1.98 GAA, .928 SV%

With his start on Sunday, Anthony Stolarz will become the first-ever New Jerseyan to start an NHL game in goal. He's turned in a decent year for the Flyers' American League affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms this year.

Since being acquired from St. Louis at this year's draft, Brian Elliott has struggled to emerge as the Flames' No. 1 netminder, and has been largely out-performed by Chad Johnson. Johnson will get the start tonight, for his seventh start in the Flames' last eight games.

*denotes stats with AHL Lehigh Valley.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Roman Lyubimov, Nick Schultz, Scott Laughton, Andrew MacDonald, Boyd Gordon, Michal Neuvirth

Left Wing Center Right Wing
12 Michael Raffl 28 Claude Giroux 17 Wayne Simmonds
11 Travis Konecny 25 Nick Cousins 93 Jakub Voracek
24 Matt Read 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 22 Dale Weise
76 Chris VandeVelde 10 Brayden Schenn 13 Roman Lyubimov
Defense    
9 Ivan Provolov 3 Radko Gudas  
23 Brandon Manning 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
15 Michael Del Zotto 32 Mark Streit  
Goalie    
41 Anthony Stolarz    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (2nd, 8th at home), Flames (30th, 16th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (20th, 16th at home), Flames (29th, 16th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Flames:
    • Feb. 29, 2016 - Brayden Schenn posted a hat trick in the Flyers' 5-3 rout of the Flames, while Wayne Simmonds recorded two goals. Sean Monahan, Michael Frolik and Micheal Ferland all scored for the Flames. Jonas Hiller made 24 saves on 28 shots for the Flames, while Michal Neuvirth turned away 29 of 32 shots.
  • A Look Back in Flyers History – Oct. 28, 1980: The Flames' first game in Philadelphia since establishing their new identity as the Calgary Flames surely made them want to relocate back to their roots in Atlanta, as the Flyers smoked them, 8-0. Then-rookie Tim Kerr scored his second goal as a Flyer, while Behn Wilson and Bill Barber scored twice. Al Hill, Brian Propp and Jimmy Watson also scored, while Pete Peeters stopped all 22 shots he faced.
  • Milestone Watch
    • Claude Giroux remains one point away from passing Simon Gagne for 10th all-time in Flyers history.

Where to Watch:
TV: CSN

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

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