Game 64 Preview: Flyers begin post-deadline play against Flames

It may be the day after the deadline, but the Flyers look is essentially the same. The Flyers had played the entire season without Kimmo Timonen and only Braydon Coburn was shipped off on deadline day.

Now the rest of the Flyers return on Tuesday night to host the Calgary Flames as they continue their attempt to climb back into the playoffs. The opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.

The Flyers enter coming off an emotional win over the Rangers, continuing their success against current playoff teams. Even with two disappointing losses to Carolina and Toronto last week, the Flyers are still 9-3-4 in their last 16 games.

The Flyers also have an excellent home record, 18-8-5 overall and 7-1-2 in their last 10 games.

Jake Voracek and Claude Giroux still hold as the team's point leaders, but the Flyers recent run has been based on secondary scoring.

Wayne Simmonds is up to 25 goals, leading the team. Simmonds and Mark Streit are already past the 40-point mark. Simmonds has 43 points and Streit has an even 40, including 32 assists.

Nick Grossmann has not practiced since suffering an upper-body injury on Saturday. Grossmann will not play in Tuesday's game, meaning Carlo Colaiacovo returns to the lineup.

Steve Mason gets the start in goal for the Flyers. Mason starred in the Flyers win on Saturday, making 34 saves. Mason is 12-13-7 with a 2.25 GAA and .926 save percentage.

The Flames come into Tuesday's game tied for the final guaranteed playoff spot out of the Pacific Division with San Jose. But their playoff hits took a different kind of hit on deadline day.

On Sunday, the Flames traded forward Curtis Glencross to Washington and on Monday learned they would be without top defenseman and captain Mark Giordano for the remainder of the season. Giordano was tied for the team lead in points with 48.

Leading the team in points is Jiri Hudler. Hudler, also at 48 points, has 19 goals on the season, second most on the team. Sean Monahan leads the team in goals with 21 and has 21 assists as well.

Even without Giordano, the Flames have a formidable top defensive pairing of Dennis Wideman and T.J. Brodie. Wideman has 37 points and Brodie has 35 points.

The player most fans should keep an eye on is rookie Johnny Gaudreau. The 21-year-old, South Jersey native is among the top candidates for the Calder Trophy this season, with 15 goals and 29 assists.

In goal, the Flames will go with Karri Ramo. Ramo is 10-7-1 this season with a 2.43 GAA and .915 save percentage.

Game Notes
  • Power Play: Flyers (3rd, 2nd at home), Flames (19th, T-14th on road) 
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (28th, 18th at home), Flames (T-20th, T-13th on road) 
  • The Flyers swept the season series with the Flames last season. They claimed a 4-1 win in Calgary on Dec. 31, 2013 and picked up a 2-1 win at home on Feb. 8, 2014.
  • Milestone Watch: Claude Giroux needs one assists to reach 300 in his career. Chris VandeVelde is playing in his 100th NHL game tonight.

Flyers scratches: Nick Grossmann, Zac Rinaldo

Flyers Projected Lineup

Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: Ryan White-Brayden Schenn-R.J. Umberger
Line 4: Chris VandeVeldePierre-Edouard Bellemare-Vincent Lecavalier

D-Pair 1: Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Michael Del Zotto-Luke Schenn
D-Pair 3: Andrew MacDonald-Carlo Colaiacovo

Goalie: Steve Mason

Where to Watch
TV: CSN

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Kevin Durso is the managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @Kevin_Durso.

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