Flyers-Canadiens: Game 73 Preview

2-8-2018_FlyersvsCanadiens_1st_credKateFrese-7

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It took another last-second comeback win over the Penguins, but the Flyers barely remained alive in the playoff race. Their next game gives them a direct chance to breathe some life into those hopes.

The Flyers face the Montreal Canadiens on home ice to kick off the final 10 games on the schedule, having split the first two meetings of the season in Montreal.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Montreal Canadiens GP G A P
Claude Giroux 72 20 56 76 Max Domi 72 24 38 62
Sean Couturier 70 29 40 69 Tomas Tatar 70 22 28 50
Jake Voracek 68 19 43 62 Jonathan Drouin 71 17 33 50
Travis Konecny 72 22 24 46 Brendan Gallagher 72 30 16 46
James van Riemsdyk 56 25 17 42 Phillip Danault 71 11 35 46
 
Player to Watch
25 James van Riemsdyk     11 Brendan Gallagher
Last 5 Games: 6 G, 1 A, 7 P, +6 Last 5 Games: 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, -3
 
In the last 11 games, James van Riemsdyk has 10 goals, including a hat trick in Toronto on Friday and Sunday's game-tying goal in Pittsburgh. Perhaps more impressive than his overall stretch of goal scoring since Jan. 10 — 19 goals in 29 games — or in the last 11 games, is the three-game stretch JVR is on, with five goals against top opponents in Washington, Toronto and Pittsburgh.
 
It's hard to forget the performance Brendan Gallagher had last time the Canadiens faced the Flyers. The forward, who entered the game with six goals in 18 career games against the Flyers, picked up a hat trick. Gallagher followed that with goals in four straight games from Feb. 26 to March 5, but since then, has been held without a goal for five games with just two assists in that time.
 
Goalie Matchup
79 Carter Hart 31 Carey Price
24 GP, 14-9-1, 2.76 GAA, .918 SV% 57 GP, 29-22-5, 2.57 GAA, .915 SV%

Carter Hart returned to the crease last Thursday with his previous two starts being forgettable. He allowed four goals in a loss to Washington that night that wasn't his fault, but didn't show the form that had been expected of the rookie goalie. On Sunday, the kid was back, making 41 saves in a stellar performance to get back in the win column. With the Flyers playoff hopes hinging on every game, he'll likely be back in goal to face the Canadiens.

It should be no surprise that Carey Price is in goal for Montreal. The Canadiens also need this game for their playoff hopes, so Price gets the start looking get back to the win column himself. Price was excellent against the Islanders, making 36 saves in a 2-1 loss. He lost his last start to Chicago as well, despite allowing two goals on 24 shots. Price made 29 saves in a win over the Flyers on Feb. 21.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Phil Myers, Justin Bailey, Cam Talbot, Sam Morin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk 19 Nolan Patrick 28 Claude Giroux
12 Michael Raffl 21 Scott Laughton 11 Travis Konecny
44 Phil Varone 10 Corban Knight 38 Ryan Hartman
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 47 Andrew MacDonald  
8 Robert Hagg 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
79 Carter Hart    

Lineup Notes

Phil Myers is out with illness, evidence by his absence in warmups. Andrew MacDonald slots back into the lineup. Justin Bailey took warmups after being called up (again) but will not play.

Canadiens Projected Lineup

Scratches: Nicolas Deslauriers, Charles Hudon, Matthew Peca, Dale Weise, Mike Reilly

Left Wing Center Right Wing
90 Tomas Tatar 24 Phillip Danault  11 Brendan Gallagher
92 Jonathan Drouin  15 Jesperi Kotkaniemi 40 Joel Armia
 62 Artturi Lehkonen 13 Max Domi 65 Andrew Shaw
41 Paul Byron 21 Nate Thompson  43 Jordan Weal
Defense    
53 Victor Mete 6 Shea Weber  
17 Brett Kulak 26 Jeff Petry  
8 Jordie Benn 32 Christian Folin  
Goalie    
31 Carey Price    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-24th, 16th at home), Canadiens (31st, 30th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (25th, 21st at home), Canadiens (T-16th, 25th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Canadiens
    • Jan. 19, 2019 – Flyers 5, Canadiens 2 (at MTL)
    • Feb. 21, 2019 – Canadiens 5, Flyers 1 (at MTL)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Canadiens 
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 10 GP, 2 G, 12 A, 14 P
    • Jake Voracek -27 GP, 7 G, 20 A, 27 P
    • Travis Konecny – 7 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 P
    • Claude Giroux – 32 GP, 10 G, 13 A, 23 P
    • Carter Hart – 2 GP, 1-1-0, 4.23 GAA, .886 SV%

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

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