Flyers-Blackhawks: Game 8 Preview
The Flyers were finally able to find the finishing touch and get a few bounces to go their way as they put an end to a four-game losing streak on Monday against Vegas. After a couple games on home ice, the Flyers hit the road again for a quick trip to Chicago.
The season series between the Flyers and Blackhawks will wrap on Thursday night as the Flyers look to build on Monday's win. They previously defeated the Blackhawks in the season opener on Oct. 4 in Prague, winning by a score of 4-3.
Game time is at 8:30 p.m.
Team Leaders
Philadelphia Flyers | GP | G | A | P | Chicago Blackhawks | GP | G | A | P |
Travis Konecny | 7 | 4 | 6 | 10 | Patrick Kane | 7 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Oskar Lindblom | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | Alexander Nylander | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Sean Couturier | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Alex DeBrincat | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Ivan Provorov | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Brandon Saad | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Jake Voracek | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Dylan Strome | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Player to Watch | |
11 Travis Konecny | 88 Patrick Kane |
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 4 A, 5 P, -4 | Last 5 Games: 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, -2 |
Projected Goalie Matchup | |
37 Brian Elliott | 40 Robin Lehner |
3 GP, 1-1-0, 2.55 GAA, .925 SV% | 3 GP, 1-0-2, 1.94 GAA, .943 SV% |
Brian Elliott gets another start in goal after making 33 saves in Monday's win over Vegas, playing a large role in the win during the early stages of the game. It is Elliott's third start of the season.
The Blackhawks will turn to Robin Lehner again in goal. Lehner has started three games so far this season and has seen a healthy amount of work in each. Lehner was less than two minutes away from securing a shutout win on Tuesday before a late goal forced overtime and Vegas claimed victory in the shootout.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Injuries: Nolan Patrick
Scratches: Sam Morin, Tyler Pitlick
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
25 James van Riemsdyk | 28 Claude Giroux | 93 Jake Voracek |
23 Oskar Lindblom | 14 Sean Couturier | 11 Travis Konecny |
21 Scott Laughton | 13 Kevin Hayes | 49 Joel Farabee |
12 Michael Raffl | 24 Mikhail Vorobyev | 44 Chris Stewart |
Defense | ||
9 Ivan Provorov | 15 Matt Niskanen | |
6 Travis Sanheim | 61 Justin Braun | |
53 Shayne Gostisbehere | 8 Robert Hagg | |
Goalie | ||
37 Brian Elliott | 79 Carter Hart |
Lineup Notes
Following Monday's win over Vegas, no changes are expected to the Flyers lineup for Thursday's game in Chicago.
Blackhawks Projected Lineup
Injuries: John Quenneville, Connor Murphy
Scratches: Brendan Perlini, Zack Smith, Dennis Gilbert
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
12 Alex DeBrincat | 19 Jonathan Toews | 65 Andrew Shaw |
17 Dylan Strome | 77 Kirby Dach | 88 Patrick Kane |
20 Brandon Saad | 64 David Kampf | 8 Dominik Kubalik |
92 Alex Nylander | 22 Ryan Carpenter | 91 Drake Caggiula |
Defense | ||
2 Duncan Keith | 44 Calvin de Haan | |
6 Olli Maatta | 7 Brent Seabrook | |
68 Slater Koekkoek | 56 Erik Gustafsson | |
Goalie | ||
40 Robin Lehner | 50 Corey Crawford |
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (5th), Blackhawks (25th)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd), Blackhawks (24th)
- Recent History vs. Blackhawks
- Nov. 10, 2019 - Flyers 4, Blackhawks 0 (at PHI)
- March 21, 2019 - Flyers 3, Blackhawks 1 (at CHI)
- Oct. 4, 2019 - Flyers 4, Blackhawks 3 (at PHI - in Prague, Czech Republic)
- Flyers Leaders vs. Blackhawks
- Claude Giroux - 17 GP, 5 G, 18 A, 23 P
- Sean Couturier - 13 GP, 5 G, 6 A, 11 P
- Jake Voracek - 31 GP, 6 G, 17 A, 23 P
- Brian Elliott - 21 GP, 9-9-1, 2.27 GAA, .922 SV%
- Milestone Watch
- Jake Voracek needs three goals to reach 200 for his career.
Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN and Flyers editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.