Flyers-Predators: Game 4 Preview

12-19-2016_FlyersvsPredators_2nd_credKateFrese(Kate Frese/SB Nation)
By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly staff 

After a three-game trip to California that saw the Flyers claim four points, they close out their season-opening West swing with a trip to Nashville.

It's been an interesting trip for the Flyers, and one that has showed us a lot about who they are to open the season. They face yet another test tonight, taking on a Preds team that has wholly embraced the spirit of "Smashville" following their first run to the Stanley Cup Final in club history.

Puck drop is set for 8 p.m., though with the Predators slated to unveil their inaugural Western Conference Champions banner, it'll come a bit later.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Nashville Predators GP G A P
Wayne Simmonds 3 4 0 4 Viktor Arvidsson 2 1 1 2
Jake Voracek 3 0 4 4 Ryan Johansen 2 0 2 2
Sean Couturier 3 1 2 3 Scott Hartnell 2 1 0 1
Shayne Gostisbehere 3 0 3 3 Filip Forsberg 2 1 0 1
Claude Giroux  3  1  2 P.K. Subban 2 0 1 1
 
Player to Watch
17 Wayne Simmonds 76 P.K. Subban
Last 5 Games: 4 G, 0 A, 4 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 0 G, 1 A, 1 P, -4
 
Not that it's exactly anything surprising, but Wayne Simmonds has been off to an incredible start this season. The latest example of this has been the overtime goal he netted on Saturday to seal the Flyers' second win. With 10 goals and 16 points in 22 career games against the Predators, look for him to continue his hot start.
 
The Predators pride themselves on their stalwart defensive core, though with Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi out of the lineup, P.K. Subban will look to carry the weight. One of the most dynamic blueliners in the league, Subban will surely look to ensure the Preds don't fall into a rut at the start of the season.

Injuries:

Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 35 Pekka Rinne
2-0-0, 2.50 GAA, .914 SV% 0-1-0, 3.16 GAA, .903 SV%

Brian Elliott makes his second-consecutive start for the Flyers. In their last game against the Ducks, 'Moose' made 21 saves on 23 shots.

Pekka Rinne was not in net for the Preds' last game, a 4-0 shutout loss against Pittsburgh. He returns to the net, looking to guide Nashville to their first victory.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Brandon Manning, Sam Morin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
40 Jordan Weal 51 Valtteri Filppula 17 Wayne Simmonds
22 Dale Weise 19 Nolan Patrick 11 Travis Konecny
20 Taylor Leier 21 Scott Laughton 12 Michael Raffl
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 47 Andrew MacDonald  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 8 Robert Hagg  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

The Flyers will roll out the same lineup for tonight's game against Nashville. Jori Lehtera and Brandon Manning remain healthy scratches, as does Sam Morin, for some reason.

Predators Projected Lineup

Injuries: Ryan Ellis (knee injury, out 4-6 months), Roman Josi (undisclosed, out day-to-day), Colton Sissons (undisclosed, out day-to-day)

Left Wing Center Right Wing
33 Viktor Arvidsson 92 Ryan Johansen 15 Craig Smith
9 Filip Forsberg 19 Calle Jarnkrok 56 Kevin Fiala
17 Scott Hartnell 13 Nick Bonino 46 Pontus Aberg
55 Cody McLeod 51 Austin Watson 250 Mikka Salomaki
Defense    
14 Mattias Ekholm 94 Samuel Girard  
25 Alexei Emelin 76 P.K. Subban  
52 Matt Irwin 7 Yannick Weber  
Goalie    
35 Pekka Rinne    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-13th, T-9th on road), Predators (T-16th, N/A at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (13th, 6th on road), Predators (T-10th, N/A at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Predators
    • Dec. 4, 2016 – Flyers 4, Predators 2
    • Dec. 19, 2017 - Predators 2, Flyers 1 (F/OT)
  • Milestone Watch
    • Claude Giroux needs one goals to move into 15th all-time in Flyers history. Giroux also needs one assist to move into fourth all-time in Flyers history, and four assists to reach 400 for his career.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

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