Flyers-Panthers: Game 6 Preview

3-2-2017_FlyersvsAvs_2nd_credKateFrese-21(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly staff 

It's safe to say that, through two weeks of the season, 2017-18 has been a rollercoaster ride for the Flyers. What was a tough loss last week against Nashville was immediately followed up with an eight-goal rout of a red-hot Washington team.

But, as is always the case in hockey, the Flyers have to move on. And they get to do so against a new-look, middle-of-the-pack Florida Panthers team, with their own crop of talented youngsters.

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Florida Panthers GP G A P
Jakub Voracek 5 0 9 9 Jonathan Huberdeau 4 3 2 5
Shayne Gostisbehere 5 0 8 8 Evgenii Dadonov 4 1 4 5
Claude Giroux 5 3 4 7 Nick Bjugstad 4 2 2 4
Wayne Simmonds 5 5 1 6 Vincent Trocheck 4 2 2 4
Sean Couturier 5 3 3 6 Aaron Ekblad 4 2 2 4
 
Player to Watch
21 Scott Laughton 11 Jonathan Huberdeau
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, E Last 5 Games: 3 G, 2 A, 5 P, -3
 
It's no secret that the fourth line has been the most fun to watch this season, and part of that has been spearheaded by Scott Laughton's game. He was rewarded with two goals on Saturday — one of which evoked memories of Mike Richards' "Shift" — for the first multi-goal game of his career. Look for that energy to continue in tonight's game.
 
One of the more underappreciated younger talents in the game (perhaps because of the market he plays in), Jonathan Huberdeau is a threat every time he touches the puck, and it shows with points in each of his four games to start the season. After a leg injury limited him to just 31 games in 2016-17, Huberdeau has an axe to grind, and he's quickly looking to get back to that 50-point plateau that's become typical of him.
 
Goalie Matchup
30 Michal Neuvirth 1 Roberto Luongo
0-1-0, 2.03 GAA, .926 SV% 1-1-0, 3.05 GAA, .905 SV%

Brian Elliott has earned the lion's share of playing time to start the season, but Michal Neuvirth will get the start tonight. His last game was the second of the season, where he made 25 saves in a 2-0 loss to Los Angeles.

Roberto Luongo figures to get the nod for the FlaCats. He's allowed six goals in two games this season, splitting both games against Tampa Bay and St. Louis.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Travis Sanheim

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  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 8 Robert Hagg  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

Brandon Manning gets back on the ice at the expense of Travis Sanheim yet again, though after an eight-goal outburst, it's no surprise the Flyers want to keep the same lineup.

Panthers Projected Lineup

Injuries: 

Left Wing Center Right Wing
11 Jonathan Huberdeau 16 Aleksander Barkov 71 Radim Vrbata
27 Nick Bjugstad 21 Vincent Trocheck 63 Evgenii Dadonov
88 Jamie McGinn 90 Jared McCann 74 Owen Tippett
18 Micheal Haley 17 Derek MacKenzie 7 Colton Sceviour
Defense    
3 Keith Yandle 5 Aaron Ekblad  
19 Michael Matheson 13 Mark Pysyk  
12 Ian McCoshen 6 Alex Petrovic  
Goalie    
1 Roberto Luongo    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-7th, T-3rd at home), Panthers (T-19th, 21st on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (28th, T-1st at home), Panthers (T-26th, 17th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Panthers
    • March 2, 2017 – Flyers 2, Panthers 1 – F/OT
    • Dec. 6, 2016 – Flyers 3, Panthers 2
    • Nov. 22, 2016 – Flyers 3, Panthers 1
  • Milestone Watch
    • Claude Giroux sits one assist away from 400 in his career. Jakub Voracek needs three points to reach 500 in his career. Sean Couturier is three points away from 200 in his career. A win would give Roberto Luongo sole possession of fourth on the all-time list.

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

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