Flying Forward: Weekly Preview 2.17.19-2.23.19
The Philadelphia Flyers look to continue to keep pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Flyers will play four games in seven days with the Stadium Series game at Lincoln Financial Field ending the busy week. The Orange and Black take on the Red Wings in Detroit on Sunday. They will then come home to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night followed by a game in Montreal on Thursday night against the Canadiens. The week ends on Saturday night with the outdoor game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
1) Sunday, Feb. 17 @ Red Wings- 6 p.m.- ET NBCSN
The Detroit Red Wings look to avenge the overtime loss from Saturday, February 16, as the two teams finish off the home-and-home series on Sunday night. The Flyers blew a four goal lead in the third period, but managed to win the game in overtime. The Red Wings have some guys that can score and make plays so this won’t be an easy game especially after the game yesterday afternoon in Philly.
The Flyers Will Win If…
They can limit their mistakes and turnovers. The Orange and Black let the Red Wings back in the game Saturday with some sloppy play by turning the puck over and not making the smart play. Carter Hart didn’t have his sharpest game of his young career, but he battled and the Flyers got the win. The Red Wings have the speed to make a team pay for turnovers in the neutral zone and some snippers that can finish off plays. The Flyers need to play a smart, defensive road game to grab the two points.
Game Prediction
The Flyers grab another important two points in this game with a 3-2 regulation win. The goals for the Orange and Black will be scored by Claude Giroux, Oskar Lindblom and James van Riemsdyk. The Red Wings two goals will come from Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi.
2) Tuesday, Feb. 19 vs. Lightning 7:00 p.m. ET
The Flyers have managed to come from behind to force overtime in both games they’ve played against the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. The overtime period has not been kind to the Flyers as they are 4-6 in the extra period this season. The Lightning have the advantage over the Flyers, but they’ve learned this season that the Flyers won’t just sit back and not fight to try to get two points in the standings.
The Flyers Will Win If…
They get good goaltending and avoid the penalty box. The Lightning are the deepest team in the NHL so the goaltending is going to need to be spectacular in this one. It can be 0-0 one minute and then the Bolts can explode for three goals within a short amount of time. The starting goalie will be busy and needs to make the saves to keep his team in the game. The Lightning also have the best power play in the NHL so it would be best if the Flyers can avoid taking penalties and try to win this game at even strength.
Game Prediction
This game is going to be a fast paced one that is filled with chances and goals. The Flyers manage to get an important two points by winning the game 5-4 in overtime. The Flyers goals will be scored by James van Riemsdyk, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim. The Lightning goals come from Brayden Point (2), Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn.
3) Thursday, Feb. 21 @ Canadiens- 7:30 p.m. ET
The Flyers will take on a surprising Montreal Canadiens team, who is also fighting for a playoff spot. The Habs have some center depth and they can rack up the points. The Flyers have the advantage in the special teams department while the Canadiens are just a tad bit better while playing at even strength. The Flyers beat the Canadiens in their only matchup of the season so far.
The Flyers Win If…
They can get production from all four lines. The Flyers want to establish the cycle and forecheck game early to hem the Habs in their own zone. They will need to get traffic in front of the net for screens and deflections especially if Carey Price is in the opposition’s net. The balanced scoring has been much better from the Flyers with new head coach Scott Gordon, who has figured out what lines work and what lines don’t.
Game Prediction
The Flyers will leave an important point on the table and lose this game 3-2 in the shootout. The Canadiens goals come from Tomas Tatar, Andrew Shaw and Brendan Gallagher. The two goals for the Flyers are scored by Jake Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere.
4) Saturday, Feb. 23 vs. Penguins- 8 p.m.-NBC
The Flyers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Lincoln Financial Field for the Stadium Series game this season. The two teams have each won a game in the season series so far. The Flyers need to get some good goaltending and play a solid defensive game in this one or they won’t have a shot at grabbing an all important two points in the standings. The Penguins have been struggling of late, but they always seem to play well against the Orange and Black.
The Flyers Will Win If…
They can get good goaltending and limit their mistakes. The Penguins will get their chances so the Flyers need a solid game from their starting goalie to keep the game close. The Flyers need to limit their turnovers because the Penguins have the firepower to turn mistakes into goals and quick. The Flyers also want to stay out of the penalty box since the Penguins power play is a dangerous one.
Game Prediction
The Flyers leave two points on the table and lose this game by a score of 4-3. The Flyers goaltending keeps it close for most of the game, but the Penguins score a third period goal to close this one out. The Penguins goals are scored by Jake Guentzel (2), Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel. The Flyers goals come from Wayne Simmonds, Jake Voracek and Claude Giroux.
