Flyers-Flames: Game 4 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After forcing overtime to keep their early-season points streak alive, the Flyers suffered their first loss in a shootout in their last game on Saturday. 

Their road trip takes them to Calgary now, where they will start their first back-to-back of the season against the Flames.

Game time is at 9 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Calgary Flames GP G A P
Travis Konecny 3 3 3 6 Johnny Gaudreau 6 3 4 7
Ivan Provorov 3 1 2 3 Matthew Tkachuk 6 2 4 6
Oskar Lindblom 3 2 1 3 Sean Monahan 6 2 2 4
Matt Niskanen 3 0 2 2 Elias Lindholm 6 3 1 4
Sean Couturier 3 1 0 1 Mark Giordano 6 1 2 3
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek 13 Johnny Gaudreau
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, -1 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, +3
 
In Saturday's game, Jake Voracek played just 14:30 and was shuffled off the top line. Alain Vigneault noted on Monday that he felt Voracek was making "uncharacteristic" decisions with the puck, and it led to the demotion. Following those actions, we'll see how Voracek, who still has no points this season, responds.
 
Johnny Gaudreau is always one to watch and he is off to another hot start this season with three goals and seven points in the first six games. The South Jersey native has four goals and 13 points in nine games against the Flyers.
 
Projected Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 33 David Rittich
2018-19: 11-11-1, 2.96 GAA, .907 SV% 5 GP, 2-2-1, 3.16 GAA, .906 SV%

Brian Elliott makes his season debut in the first of back-to-back games for the Flyers this week. Elliott gets the start against his former team in Calgary, where he posted a 26-18-3 record, 2.55 GAA and .910 save percentage in the 2016-17 season. 

David Rittich has started five of the six games Calgary has played so far this season. In each of his three losses this season, Rittich has allowed four goals or more. His two wins include a 34-save shutout on Oct. 5.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Nolan Patrick

Scratches: Sam Morin, Connor Bunnaman

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 13 Kevin Hayes 93 Jake Voracek
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
25 James van Riemsdyk 21 Scott Laughton 81 Carsen Twarynski
44 Chris Stewart 12 Michael Raffl 18 Tyler Pitlick
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 61 Justin Braun  
6 Travis Sanheim 15 Matt Niskanen  
8 Robert Hagg 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott 79 Carter Hart  

Lineup Notes

Aside from the change in goal, the only change to the lineup is Chris Stewart slotting in for Connor Bunnaman on the fourth line.

Flames Projected Lineup

Injuries: Juuso Valimaki

Scratches: Tobias Rieder, Michael Stone

Left Wing Center Right Wing
13 Johnny Gaudreau 23 Sean Monahan 28 Elias Lindholm
19 Matthew Tkachuk 11 Mikael Backlund 67 Michael Frolik
 17 Milan Lucic 10 Derek Ryan 88 Andrew Mangiapane
93 Sam Bennett 77 Mark Jankowski  27 Austin Czarnik
Defense    
5 Mark Giordano 7 T.J. Brodie  
55 Noah Hanifin 24 Travis Hamonic  
Oliver Kylington 4 Rasmus Andersson  
Goalie    
33 David Rittich 39 Cam Talbot  

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-2nd), Flames (21st)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (7th), Flames (15th)
  • Recent History vs. Flames
    • Dec. 12, 2018 – Flames 6, Flyers 5 (F/OT) (at CGY)
    • Jan. 5, 2019 – Flames 3, Flyers 2 (F/OT) (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Flames
    • Claude Giroux – 16 GP, 2 G, 12 A, 14 P
    • Jake Voracek – 24 GP, 5 G, 16 A, 21 P
    • Sean Couturier – 12 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 P
    • Brian Elliott – 14 GP, 9-3-1, 1.96 GAA, .925 SV%

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 93.3 WMMR/97.3 ESPN

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