Flyers-Penguins: Game 52 Preview

Kevin Durso

May 3 2021

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

Five more to go. That's what remains of this disappointing season for the Flyers.

The final week of the season begins with a back-to-back against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It starts on Monday night.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Pittsburgh Penguins	GP	G	A	P
Jake Voracek	48	9	31	40	Sidney Crosby	51	20	36	56
James van Riemsdyk	51	16	23	39	Jake Guentzel	52	22	31	53
Claude Giroux	49	14	22	36	Bryan Rust	52	22	19	41
Sean Couturier	40	15	21	36	Kris Letang	51	7	34	41
Joel Farabee	50	16	16	32	Jared McCann	39	13	15	28

In this final week of the season, it's all about seeing what the future may hold. Wade Allison only has one goal in nine games at the NHL level, but he's been close to scoring on multiple occasions. Could he find a way to get one against the Penguins?

Evgeni Malkin makes his return to the Penguins lineup on Monday. The Penguins are getting a huge addition back just in time for the playoffs and as they make a push for the East Division title.

Alex Lyon gets the start on Monday night. With a pair of back-to-backs this week, both Lyon and Brian Elliott figure to share the net this week. Lyon is still in search of his first win of the season.

Casey DeSmith will get the start for the Penguins to start this back-to-back. DeSmith won his last start on April 21 against the Devils, making 34 saves.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Sam Morin (healthy), Jackson Cates (healthy)

Penguins Scratches: Brandon Tanev (injury), Evan Rodrigues (injury), Mike Matheson (injury), Mark Friedman (healthy), Radim Zohorna (healthy), Mark Jankowski (healthy), Frederick Gauthier (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: There are no changes expected to the Flyers lineup from Saturday's game.
Penguins: Along with Malkin's return, Mike Matheson will be out for weeks after leaving Saturday's game against Washington. Brandon Tanev also practiced on Monday, but is not cleared to play.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (21st), Penguins (10th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th), Penguins (T-23rd)
Recent History vs. Penguins
- Jan. 13, 2021 – Flyers 6, Penguins 3 (at PHI)
- Jan. 15, 2021 – Flyers 5, Penguins 2 (at PHI)
- March 2, 2021 – Penguins 5, Flyers 2 (at PIT)
- March 4, 2021 – Flyers 4, Penguins 3 (at PIT)
- March 6, 2021 – Penguins 4, Flyers 3 (at PIT)
- April 15, 2021 – Flyers 2, Penguins 1 (F/SO) (at PIT)
Flyers Leaders vs. Penguins
- Claude Giroux – 57 GP, 18 G, 39 A, 57 P
- Joel Farabee – 8 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 P
- Jake Voracek – 49 GP, 24 G, 24 A, 48 P
- Brian Elliott – 19 GP, 10-5-3, 3.08 GAA, .907 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Claude Giroux needs two power-play goals to pass Eric Lindros for 8th all-time in Flyers history.
- Brian Elliott plays in his 500th NHL game tonight.
- Kevin Hayes needs three points to reach 300 for his career.