Flyers-Hurricanes: Game 64 Preview

It's no secret that the Flyers have been playing outright incredible hockey over the month of February, and they were rewarded after Monday's win against Montreal with first place in the Metro Division.

Because of the idiosyncrasies involving the NHL's schedule, they've lost that along the way to Washington, but sit just one point away. They have a chance to reclaim first place tonight against Carolina, and with Washington out of commission until Saturday, it could last a bit longer. 

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Carolina Hurricanes GP G A P
Claude Giroux 63 22 52 74 Teuvo Teravainen 63 16 33 49
Jake Voracek 63 13 56 69 Sebastian Aho 59 22 26 48
Sean Couturier 63 29 32 61 Jeff Skinner 63 20 18 38
Shayne Gostisbehere 59 10 40 50 Justin Williams 63 10 28 38
Wayne Simmonds 60 20 17 37 Jordan Staal 60 14 20 34
 
Player to Watch
28 Claude Giroux 86 Teuvo Teravainen
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 5 A, 8 P, +6 Last 5 Games: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, +1
 
Courtesy of the Flyers' lack of offense on Monday, Claude Giroux snapped a four-game point streak. He does have points in eight of his last 10 games, though, and he's recorded multiple points in six of those games. The captain still appears to top his career-high of 93 points, and could get back on track tonight.
 
With goals in three of his last five games — including a two-point effort on Tuesday against Boston — Teuvo Teravainen's been hot lately for the Hurricanes. That goal was his 16th of the season, giving him a new career high of 16. A two-goal effort would give the 2012 18th-overall pick 50 for his career.
 
Goalie Matchup
34 Petr Mrazek 30 Cam Ward
11-7-3, 2.68 GAA, .914 SV% 17-9-4, 2.71 GAA, .90 SV%

Petr Mrazek's been dominant since joining his new squad, and picked up his first shutout with the Orange and Black on Monday, making 28 saves. Historically, he's been strong against the Hurricanes, going 6-1-0 with a 1.71 GAA coupled with a .951 save percentage. 

Cagey veteran Cam Ward is expected to start for the Hurricanes. He allowed six goals on 39 shots in his last start on Feb. 23, a 6-1 loss to the Penguins. 

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Michal Neuvirth, Wayne Simmonds

Scratches: Matt Read, Johnny Oduya

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
54 Oskar Lindblom 19 Nolan Patrick 93 Jake Voracek
20 Taylor Leier 21 Scott Laughton 12 Michael Raffl
15 Jori Lehtera 51 Valtteri Filppula 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
8 Robert Hagg 47 Andrew MacDonald  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
34 Petr Mrazek    

Lineup Notes

Taylor Leier returns to the lineup, and will slot into the third line. Jordan Weal will be scratched in his place.

Hurricanes Projected Lineup

Injuries: Shea Weber, Andrew Shaw, Ales Hemsky, Carey Price

Scratches: Logan Shaw, Mike Reilly

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Brock McGinn 11 Jordan Staal 14 Justin Williams
20 Sebastian Aho 28 Elias Lindholm 86 Teuvo Teravainen
53 Jeff Skinner 71 Lukas Wallmark 34 Phillip Di Giuseppe
49 Victor Rask 42 Byron Froese 43 Daniel Carr
Defense    
74 Jaccob Slavin 27 Justin Faulk  
4 Haydn Fleury 22 Brett Pesce  
5 Noah Hanifin 57 Trevor van Riemsdyk  
Goalie    
30 Cam Ward    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (11th, 19th at home), Hurricanes (20th, 20th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (29th, 29th at home), Hurricanes (21st, 18th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Hurricanes
    • Feb. 6, 2018 – Flyers 2, Hurricanes 1 (F/OT) (at CAR)
    • April 9, 2017 – Hurricanes 4, Flyers 3 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • March 19, 2017 – Flyers 4, Hurricanes 3 (F/OT) (at PHI)
  • Milestone Watch
    • Sean Couturier remains one goal away from 100 in his career
    • Claude Giroux is two points away from passing Tim Kerr for 6th all-time in Flyers history.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 93.3 WMMR

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