Flyers-Panthers: Game 18 Preview

10-16-2018_FlyersvsPanthers_1st_credKateFrese-3

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Two games are down in the five-game homestand for the Flyers and so far, the results have been a smashing success. Two wins over the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks have extended the Flyers winning streak to three games and their points streak to six games.

All of this has happened against Western Conference opponents. For the first time in over two weeks, the Flyers face a team from the Eastern Conference, welcoming the Florida Panthers back to Wells Fargo Center for the second time this season.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Florida Panthers GP G A P
Claude Giroux 17 7 15 22 Evgenii Dadonov 14 7 9 16
Jake Voracek 17 4 12 16 Keith Yandle 14 3 12 15
Sean Couturier 17 7 4 11 Mike Hoffman 14 7 7 14
Wayne Simmonds 17 7 3 10 Jonathan Huberdeau 14 4 10 14
Nolan Patrick 14 5 4 9 Alexandre Barkov 14 5 8 13
 
Player to Watch
14 Sean Couturier 16 Aleksander Barkov
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 4 A, 7 P, +7 Last 5 Games: 3 G, 2 A, 5 P, +1
 
During the Flyers three-game winning streak, Sean Couturier has played a huge role in the top line making a resurgence. Couturier scored twice in the Flyers last game on Saturday and has seven points in the last five games. He's also a plus-7 during that time, meaning that the team's top line has been clicking.
 
When the two teams met in Philadelphia in October, Aleksander Barkov scored the game-tying goal on a breakaway and added a goal in the shootout, proving to be very dangerous in scoring areas. Barkov does have three goals in the last five games.
 
Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 1 Roberto Luongo
6-5-0, 2.67 GAA, .909 SV% 3-0-0, 1.42 GAA, .952 SV%

Saturday was Brian Elliott's best game so far this season, making 33 saves in a shutout win. Elliott has been perfect since returning from injury. He made 16 saves in relief on Thursday in the Flyers overtime win against Arizona.

Roberto Luongo has seen limited action this season due to an injury suffered in Florida's season opener, but has a perfect 3-0-0 and a 1.42 GAA since returning. Luongo has won all three starts since returning to action on Nov. 2, allowing two goals or less in all three games. In 26 career starts against the Flyers, Luongo has a 10-11-3 record with a 2.76 GAA.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: James van Riemsdyk, Michael Raffl, Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Andrew MacDonald

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
23 Oskar Lindblom 19 Nolan Patrick 93 Jake Voracek
22 Dale Weise 40 Jordan Weal 17 Wayne Simmonds
21 Scott Laughton 15 Jori Lehtera 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 8 Robert Hagg  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 26 Christian Folin  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

James van Riemsdyk was cleared for contact and Monday and is nearing a return. Radko Gudas missed Monday's practice on a maintenance day. For Tuesday's game, the lineup is expected to remain the same as in the last two games.

Panthers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Jamie McGinn, Mark Pysyk, Derek MacKenzie

Scratches: Maxim Mamin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
63 Evgenii Dadonov 16 Aleksander Barkov 68 Mike Hoffman
11 Jonathan Huberdeau 21 Vincent Trocheck 72 Frank Vatrano
62 Denis Malgin 90 Jared McCann 27 Nick Bjugstad
22 Troy Brouwer 91 Juho Lammikko 7 Colton Sceviour
Defense    
19 Mike Matheson 5 Aaron Ekblad  
3 Keith Yandle 6 Alex Petrovic  
55 Bogdan Kiselevich 52 Mackenzie Weegar  
Goalie    
1 Roberto Luongo    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (28th, 29th at home), Panthers (13th, 5th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 29th at home), Panthers (26th, T-20th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Panthers
    • Oct. 17, 2017 – Flyers 5, Panthers 1 (at PHI)
    • Dec. 28, 2017 – Panthers 3, Flyers 2 (at FLA)
    • March 4, 2018 – Panthers 4, Flyers 1 (at FLA)
    • Oct. 16, 2018 – Flyers 6, Panthers 5 (F/SO) (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Panthers
    • Claude Giroux – 35 GP, 9 G, 15 A, 24 P
    • Travis Konecny – 6 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 P
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 8 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 P
    • Brian Elliott – 11 GP, 6-3-0, 2.64 GAA, .912 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Claude Giroux needs one point to reach 700 for his career. 
    • Giroux also needs three assists to pass Brian Propp for 2nd all-time in Flyers history.

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

Video Preview

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