Flyers-Canucks: Game 31 Preview

11-21-2017_FlyersvsCanucks_2ndedit_credKateFrese-23

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

A long road trip filled with defeats of different kinds comes to a close on Saturday night. For the Flyers, Friday's lifeless game may be rock bottom when it comes to forcing changes from new GM Chuck Fletcher.

Whatever happens from here, things will remain the same with the makeup of the team for one more night, as the Flyers close a five-game road trip in Vancouver against the Canucks.

Game time is at 10 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Vancouver Canucks GP G A P
Claude Giroux 30 11 28 39 Elias Petterson 28 16 17 33
Jake Voracek 30 9 16 25 Bo Horvat 34 15 14 29
Sean Couturier 28 12 11 23 Nikolay Goldobin 33 5 14 19
Travis Konecny 30 9 10 19 Brock Boeser 21 10 8 18
Wayne Simmonds 30 10 4 14 Jake Virtanen 34 10 5 15
 
Player to Watch
11 Travis Konecny 53 Bo Horvat
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -2 Last 5 Games: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, +2
 
Travis Konecny has been one of the many Flyers in an offensive slump over the last few games. He's gone three straight games without a point and is a minus-4 in the last three games.
 
Bo Horvat may not be the team leader in points, but he's a central part of the Canucks lineup, playing in all situation. He's one of the team's power-play specialists, a shorthanded threat and solid in the face-off circle. In many games, even when the points aren't there, he's the Canucks best all-around player.
 
Goalie Matchup
34 Alex Lyon 25 Jakob Markstrom
1 GP, 0-1-0, 12.00 GAA, .667 SV% 23 GP, 11-9-3, 3.14 GAA, .901 SV%

Alex Lyon made one start this season…and it was a disaster. He lasted through the first period of a game in Buffalo on Nov. 21, allowing four goals on 12 shots before being pulled. Anthony Stolarz has been carrying the Flyers in goal for the last two weeks. This is a spot where the Flyers will likely give Lyon a shot.

It's been a difficult season for Jakob Markstrom. His 3.14 GAA is not very good, but he's been solid in several games as well for the Canucks. Vancouver's top netminder likely gets the call on Saturday. 

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Corban Knight

Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Jordan Weal, Christian Folin, Michal Neuvirth

Left Wing Center Right Wing
25 James van Riemsdyk 28 Claude Giroux 11 Travis Konecny
17 Wayne Simmonds 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
23 Oskar Lindblom 19 Nolan Patrick 44 Phil Varone
12 Michael Raffl 21 Scott Laughton 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
8 Robert Hagg 47 Andrew MacDonald  
6 Travis Sanheim 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
34 Alex Lyon    

Lineup Notes

No changes are expected to the Flyers lineup for Saturday.

Canucks Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brandon Sutter, Sven Baertschi

Scratches: Tim Schaller, Alex Biega, Michael Del Zotto

Left Wing Center Right Wing
77 Nikolay Goldobin 53 Bo Horvat 18 Jake Virtanen
17 Josh Leivo 40 Elias Pettersson 6 Brock Boeser
26 Antoine Roussel 88 Adam Gaudette 21 Loui Eriksson
60 Markus Granlund 83 Jay Beagle 64 Tyler Motte
Defense    
23 Alexander Edler 8 Chris Tanev  
27 Ben Hutton 44 Erik Gudbranson  
5 Derrick Pouliot 51 Troy Stecher  
Goalie    
25 Jakob Markstrom    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (29th, 28th on road), Canucks (21st, 20th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (31st, 28th on road), Canucks (24th, 20th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Canucks
    • Nov. 21, 2017 – Canucks 5, Flyers 2 (at PHI)
    • Dec. 7, 2017 – Flyers 4, Canucks 1 (at VAN)
  • Milestone Watch
    • Wayne Simmonds needs three goals to reach 200 as a Flyer.

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

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