Flyers-Penguins: Game 69 Preview

10-29-2016_FlyersvsPenguins_1st_credKateFrese-3(Kate Frese/Sports Talk Philly)

By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly contributor 

Soon enough, the number of games remaining in the NHL schedule will reach the single digits. One of the teams coming to play at Wells Fargo Center tonight is well-poised to make another playoff run, while the other is in need of more than a little luck.

The Flyers continue their four-game stretch against Metro Division teams with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have just arrived later this morning after encountering difficulties with this week's snowstorm. It's a chance for the Orange and Black to salvage some points against a team that's been hot — bringing a six-game points streak with them.

Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Penguins Leaders GP G A P
Jake Voracek 68 17 37 54 Sidney Crosby 62 35 39 74
Claude Giroux 68 13 36 49 Evgeni Malkin 61 33 39 72
Wayne Simmonds 68 28 18 46 Phil Kessel 68 21 40 61
Brayden Schenn 65 20 23 43 Justin Schultz 65 12 34 46
Valtteri Filppula 65 8 28 36 Conor Sheary 48 20 23 43
 
Player to Watch
11 Travis Konecny 4 Justin Schultz
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, +3 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, +3
 
Though he took a rough penalty in the third period of the Flyers' 5-3 loss to Columbus on Monday — a mistake he took full responsibility for — Travis Konecny was still sensational, with a two-goal effort that singlehandedly gave the Orange and Black a chance to win. He's been steady since being assigned to the Flyers' fourth line, though he'll revert to the second line tonight.
 
In his first season with the Penguins, the puck-moving Justin Schultz has been nothing short of a valuable presence on the blue line. He's already set career-highs in goals and assists, and has been picking up the slack following Kris Letang's injury woes.
 
Goalie Matchup
35 Steve Mason 30 Matt Murray
19-19-7, 2.77 GAA, .905 SV% 26-8-3, 2.33 GAA, .925 SV%

Steve Mason reprises his role between the pipes for the Flyers. While he's been hot lately, stopping 24 of 28 shots against the Blue Jackets didn't do him too many favors.

Matt Murray will take the reins for the Penguins. He recorded a 27-save shutout against Vancouver in his last start on Saturday.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Dale Weise, Jordan Weal (lower-body injury), Brandon Manning (upper-body injury, day-to-day), Michael Raffl (lower-body injury, out 6-8 weeks)

Left Wing Center Right Wing
25 Nick Cousins 28 Claude Giroux 17 Wayne Simmonds
11 Travis Konecny 51 Valtteri Filppula 93 Jakub Voracek
22 Dale Weise 14 Sean Couturier 10 Brayden Schenn
76 Chris VandeVelde 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 24 Matt Read
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 47 Andrew MacDonald  
15 Michael Del Zotto 3 Radko Gudas  
55 Nick Schultz 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
Goalie    
35 Steve Mason    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (12th, 14th at home), Penguins (3rd, 16th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd, 13th at home), Penguins (20th, 22nd on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Penguins
    • Feb. 25, 2017 - Sidney Crosby and Nick Bonino gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead to open the Stadium Series matchup, and when Jakub Voracek countered in the second to make it a one-goal game after 40 minutes, Matt Cullen scored in the third. Shayne Gostisbehere made it a one-goal game yet again, but Chad Ruhwedel put the game away with 5:54 left on the clock.
    • Oct. 29, 2016 – Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds got the Flyers out to a fast 2-0 start in the first, but a pair of goals from Sidney Crosby and another from Matt Cullen in a 55-second span gave the Pens a 3-2 lead at the end of the first. Evgeni Malkin then scored to give them a two-goal lead in the second, before Claude Giroux and Voracek evened the score. Malkin netted his second of the game midway through the third, though, and the Penguins were able to stave off the Flyers from there.
  • Milestone Watch
    • Matt Read is now one assist away from 100 in his career.

Where to Watch
TV: NBCSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

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