Flyers-Hurricanes Preview: Hart, Flyers Try to Snap 4-Game Losing Streak

Thanks to great goaltending once again, the Flyers managed to get an all-important point in the standings. That can only help them at this point. Unfortunately for the Flyers, the process just isn't any better and likely won't be improving anytime soon, so getting results any way they can is the only method to staying afloat in the standings.

Following an off day on Thanksgiving, the Flyers return to the ice to face the top team in the Metro, the Carolina Hurricanes, in the annual Black Friday game. The Flyers used the hot goaltending method to earn a 2-1 win against Carolina on the road earlier this month and they may need another one to salvage a week that certainly hasn't been good so far.

Game time is 3:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Carolina Hurricanes	GP	G	A	P
Claude Giroux	18	7	9	16	Andrei Svechnikov	18	7	12	19
Sean Couturier	18	5	8	13	Sebastian Aho	18	8	10	18
Derick Brassard	17	4	7	11	Tony DeAngelo	18	4	13	17
Cam Atkinson	18	7	3	10	Vincent Trocheck	18	4	9	13
Travis Konecny	18	5	5	10	Teuvo Teravainen	18	3	10	13

There haven't been many consistencies with the Flyers offense this season. One thing that has been noticeable in the last few games is that Claude Giroux certainly cares about trying to make something happen. Giroux was at the center of the offense last Saturday against Boston with assists on both goals in the 5-2 loss. Giroux has also produced four points in his last five games, tops on the team at a time when everything offensively is hard to come by. The Flyers will be turning to him again to try to right the ship.

Sebastian Aho is Carolina's skilled top center and it shows every time he's on the ice. While his production has dipped a bit over the last five games, it's still be solid and he's always dangerous when on the ice. Aho has been especially lethal on the power play, with five of his eight goals this season coming on the man-advantage.

Carter Hart is likely to be back in goal for the Flyers on Friday. Hart did his part to hold the Flyers in Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay, eventually allowing four goals on 35 shots in the shutout loss. Hart was spectacular in his start against Carolina on Nov. 12, making 39 saves on 40 shots in the 2-1 win.

Frederik Andersen gets the call for the Hurricanes. Andersen has started 14 of Carolina's 18 games and been outstanding throughout the season. Andersen has split his last six starts with three wins and three losses, but only one of the losses saw the netminder allow more than two goals. Andersen made 26 saves on 28 shots in the Flyers 2-1 win on Nov. 12.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Kevin Hayes (injury), Ryan Ellis (injury), Patrick Brown (injury)

Hurricanes Scratches: Ethan Bear (injury), Derek Stepan (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Max Willman was sent down to the Phantoms on Friday morning, indicating that Derick Brassard may be good to go for the game. No other changes are expected.
Hurricanes: No changes are expected to the Carolina lineup for Friday.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (26th), Hurricanes (9th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (13th), Hurricanes (4th)
Recent History vs. Hurricanes
- Nov. 12, 2021 - Flyers 2, Hurricanes 1 (at CAR)
Flyers Leaders vs. Hurricanes
- Claude Giroux - 45 GP, 13 G, 32 A, 45 P
- Sean Couturier - 38 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 P
- Cam Atkinson - 37 GP, 11 G, 12 A, 23 P
- Carter Hart - 5 GP, 3-2-0, 2.30 GAA, .929 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Travis Konecny needs one goal to reach 100 for his career.
- Claude Giroux needs three power-play points to pass Bobby Clarke for the Flyers all-time franchise lead.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN and Flyers editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.