Flyers-Flames: Game 57 Preview

11-27-2016_FlyersvsFlames_-credKateFrese-2(Kate Frese/Sports Talk Philly)

By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly contributor 

After a homestand that saw the Flyers go 2-3 punctuated by a spirited 2-1 win over a top Western Conference team, the Flyers are packing up their game and heading out West. 

They begin a three-game road trip with a back-to-back set in Alberta, visiting the Calgary Flames to cap off their two-game season series. The Flames just returned from their bye week on Monday, and should have stayed on that bye — as they were blanked by basement-dwelling Arizona, 5-0.
 
Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. That's right, #FlyersAfterDark makes its noble return.
 

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Flames Leaders GP G A P
Jake Voracek 56 14 33 47 Mikael Backlund 57 15 23 38
Claude Giroux 56 12 29 41 Sean Monahan 57 19 16 35
Wayne Simmonds 56 23 17 40 Johnny Gaudreau 47 11 24 35
Brayden Schenn 53 16 19 35 Matthew Tkachuk 53 10 24 34
Ivan Provorov 56 5 18 23 Dougie Hamilton 56 8 25 33
 
Player to Watch
17 Wayne Simmonds 23 Sean Monahan
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 0 A, 2 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, E
 
During the Flyers' 3-on-3 stretch with San Jose on Saturday, Wayne Simmonds made up his mind that the Flyers were leaving with two points, and did so with a brilliant solo effort. He's got goals in his last two games, scoring the lone Flyer tally on Thursday against the New York Islanders. In 19 games against the Flames, the 'Wayne Train' has four goals and 12 points.
 
One of the game's sharper, yet underrated young talents, Sean Monahan enters tonight's game on the doorstep of a trio of big milestones. The 22-year-old pivot is one goal away from 100 in his career, five assists away from 100 and six points away from 200. He's got four goals in seven games against the Orange and Black, so he's always a threat to find the scoresheet.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth

1 Brian Elliott

9-5-1, 2.67 GAA, .897 SV% 11-13-2, 2.85 GAA, .895 SV%

Michal Neuvirth returns in goal for the Flyers. He was stellar in his last outing on Saturday, stopping 23 of 24 shots he faced.

Brian Elliott will handle the reins for the Flames. He stopped eight of nine shots in relief of Chad Johnson during Monday's shellacking. 

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Nick Schultz, Michael Del Zotto, Travis Konecny, Roman Lyubimov

Left Wing Center Right Wing
10 Brayden Schenn 28 Claude Giroux 17 Wayne Simmonds
40 Jordan Weal 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jakub Voracek
12 Michael Raffl 25 Nick Cousins 24 Matt Read
76 Chris VandeVelde 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 47 Andrew MacDonald  
32 Mark Streit 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
3 Radko Gudas 23 Brandon Manning  
Goalie    
30 Steve Mason    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (10th, 8th on road), Flames (11th, 8th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (18th, 23rd on road), Flames (19th, 24th at home) 
  • Milestone Watch:
    • Matt Read remains four assists away from 100 in his career.
    • Mark Streit remains five goals away from 100 in his career.
    • Flames' Alex Chiasson is three points away from 200.
  • Recent History vs. the Flames
    • Nov. 27, 2016 – In something that seems like it hasn't happened in too long, five Flyers found the scoresheet in a 5-3 win. T.J. Brodie opened the scoring early in the first period, but Michael Raffl evened the score before it could end. Jakub Voracek, Chris VandeVelde and Wayne Simmonds all tallied in the second period, while Roman Lyubimov scored in the third. Anthony Stolarz made 29 saves in his NHL debut.
    • Feb. 29, 2016 — In yet another 5-3 win for the Orange and Black, Brayden Schenn potted the first hat trick of his career. Wayne Simmonds countered with two goals, and Michal Neuvirth made 29 saves on 32 shots. Sean Monahan, Micheal Ferland and Michael Frolik all scored for the Flames.

Where to Watch
TV: TCN
Radio: 93.3 WMMR

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