Flyers-Stars: Game 80 Preview

1-10-2019_FlyersvsStars_2nd_credKateFrese

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Three games remain for the Flyers over the final week of the 2018-19 season. For the Orange and Black, there's nothing left to play for but pride and to be a spoiler.

For the Dallas Stars, the first opponent on the week, a playoff spot is on the line, and they can clinch it with a win.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Dallas Stars GP G A P
Claude Giroux 79 21 60 81 Tyler Seguin 79 31 44 75
Sean Couturier 77 32 42 74 Alexander Radulov 67 27 39 66
Jake Voracek 75 20 44 64 Jamie Benn 76 27 25 52
Travis Konecny 79 23 24 47 John Klingberg 61 10 32 42
James van Riemsdyk 63 26 20 46 Miro Heiskanen 79 12 21 33
 
Player to Watch
14 Sean Couturier     47 Alexander Radulov
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, -9 Last 5 Games: 3 G, 3 A, 6 P, -1
 
Sean Couturier enters the final week of another strong season individually just two points away from matching his season total from the previous season in 2017-18. Couturier has been held off the board in three of the last four games.
 
Alexander Radulov enters Tuesday's game with a three-goal goal streak and five-game points streak, as well as points in 10 of the last 13 games. In that time, Radulov has 10 goals and five assists.
 
Goalie Matchup
33 Cam Talbot 35 Anton Khudobin
34 GP, 11-16-3, 3.32 GAA, .895 SV% 39 GP, 15-16-5, 2.49 GAA, .925 SV%

Cam Talbot continues his on-ice audition to become the Flyers backup goalie next season. Talbot is making his third start with the Flyers. Talbot took the loss in Carolina on Saturday, making 27 saves on 30 shots.

Anton Khudobin remains in goal for the Stars with Ben Bishop still out with injury. Khudobin may only have a 15-16-5 record in 39 games, but his save percentage and GAA are among the league leaders. Khudobin made 29 saves in a shootout loss to Vancouver on Saturday.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Shayne Gostisbehere, Justin Bailey, Andrew MacDonald, Brian Elliott

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk 19 Nolan Patrick 28 Claude Giroux
11 Travis Konecny 21 Scott Laughton 38 Ryan Hartman
12 Michael Raffl 10 Corban Knight 27 Justin Bailey
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 61 Phil Myers  
5 Sam Morin 8 Robert Hagg  
Goalie    
33 Cam Talbot    

Lineup Notes

Sam Morin returns to the lineup, as does Justin Bailey. Phil Varone is out of the lineup for Bailey, and Radko Gudas sits out on defense as the next in line in the rotation.

Stars Projected Lineup

Injuries: Ben Bishop, Mats Zuccarello, Stephen Johns, Martin Hanzel, Marc Method

Scratches: Justin Dowling, Joel L'Esperance, Brett Ritchie, Julius Honka, Jamie Oleksiak 

Left Wing Center Right Wing
13 Mattias Janmark 91 Tyler Seguin  47 Alexander Radulov
14 Jamie Benn 24 Roope Hintz 16 Jason Dickinson
 17 Andrew Cogliano 12 Radek Faksa 15 Blake Comeau
43 Valeri Nichushkin 90 Jason Spezza  18 Tyler Pitlick
Defense    
23 Esa Lindell 3 John Klingberg  
4 Miro Heiskanen 45 Roman Polak  
42 Taylor Fedun 21 Ben Lovejoy  
Goalie    
35 Anton Khudobin    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-23rd, 28th on road), Stars (15th, 16th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd, 23rd on road), Stars (5th, T-6th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Stars
    • Jan. 10, 2019 – Flyers 2, Stars 1 (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Stars 
    • Shayne Gostisbehere – 6 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 P
    • Claude Giroux – 16 GP, 3 G, 11 A, 14 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 16 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 P
    • Cam Talbot – 8 GP, 3-4-1, 3.54 GAA, .881 SV%

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

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