Flyers-Coyotes: Game 8 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After three straight games against Eastern Conference opponents, the Flyers wrap up the season series against a Western Conference team early.

The Arizona Coyotes are in town on a night when the Flyers will pay tribute to the members of their Hall of Fame.

The opening face-off is set following pre-game ceremonies to take place at 7 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Coyotes Leaders GP G A P
Claude Giroux 7 0 8 8 Radim Vrbata 6 3 2 5
Jake Voracek 7 3 5 8 Jordan Martinook 6 3 2 5
Wayne Simmonds 7 4 2 6 Brad Richardson 6 2 2 4
Travis Konecny 7 1 5 6 Alex Goligoski 6 0 4 4
Mark Streit 7 2 3 5 Oliver Ekman-Larsson 6 4 0 4
 
Player to Watch
11 Travis Konecny 23 Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 3 G, 0 A, 3 P, -4
 
The Flyers got a lift from the 19-year-old in their last game. With six points in seven games, Travis Konecny is fitting in perfectly in the NHL.
 
Not only did Oliver Ekman-Larsson net the game-winning goal in overtime against the Flyers on Oct. 15, but he also leads the Coyotes with four goals this season.
 
Goalie Matchup
35 Steve Mason 50 Louis Domingue
2-3-1, 2.77 GAA, .901 SV% 0-4-0, 5.03 GAA, .851 SV%

Steve Mason is back in goal after earning a win in relief in the Flyers shootout victory on Tuesday. Mason has earned the bulk of the playing time of late, coming on in relief for each of Michal Neuvirth's last two starts. Mason made 31 saves against the Coyotes in an overtime loss on Oct. 15.

The Flyers faced Mike Smith less than two weeks ago, but with the Coyotes top netminder injured, they will get Louis Domingue, who has struggled to start the season.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Boyd Gordon, Nick Schultz, Michael Raffl, Scott Laughton, Michael Del Zotto

Left Wing Center Right Wing
11 Travis Konecny 28 Claude Giroux 93 Jake Voracek
24 Matt Read 14 Sean Couturier 17 Wayne Simmonds
10 Brayden Schenn 25 Nick Cousins 22 Dale Weise
76 Chris VandeVelde 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 13 Roman Lyubimov
Defense    
47 Andrew MacDonald 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
9 Ivan Provorov 23 Brandon Manning  
32 Mark Streit 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
35 Steve Mason    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (5th, 6th at home), Coyotes (20th, 20th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd, 23rd at home), Coyotes (26th, 25th on road)
  • Recent History vs. Coyotes
    • Oct. 15, 2016 – The Flyers were defeated by the Coyotes, 4-3, in overtime. The Coyotes opened up a 3-1 lead on goals by Shane Doan, Martin Hanzal and Brad Richardson — Doan's coming on the power play and Richardson's coming shorthanded. The Flyers briefly tied the game at one in the first on a goal by Michael Raffl. Wayne Simmonds scored six minutes into the second to cut the lead to one and the Flyers tied that game on a goal by Matt Read just under five minutes into the third. The Flyers had chances to win the game late in regulation and overtime but were stopped by Mike Smith. On a delayed penalty call, Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored the game-winning goal to give Arizona the win. 
  • A Look Back in Flyers History - The Flyers first home game against the Coyotes came back on Jan. 28, 1997 with the Flyers claiming a 4-1 win. Shjon Podein scored twice while Janne Niinimaa and Eric Lindros added tallies in the third period. The Flyers fired 55 shots on goal in the win while Garth Snow made 17 saves for the win. Four Flyers Hall of Famers played in the game — Lindros, John LeClair, Eric Desjardins and Rod Brind'Amour. Lindros had a goal and an assist. LeClair had one assist. 
  • Flyers leaders vs. Coyotes
    • Matt Read – 8 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points
    • Mark Streit – 12 games, 1 goals, 8 assists, 9 points
    • Claude Giroux – 11 games, 4 goals, 4 assists, 8 points
    • Steve Mason - 15 games, 5-9-1, 2.96 GAA, .899 Sv%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Jake Voracek needs one goal for his 100th as a Flyer and three assists to reach 300 for his career. 
    • Mark Streit needs three assists for 100 as a Flyer.

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

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