Flyers-Penguins Preview: Last One Before Break

The NHL has an annual holiday break from Dec. 24 through 26 with no games played. Monday is the last night of game action before that break, one final time for the Flyers to potentially earn some points before everything slows down for a bit.

They take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team that started with some struggles, but has turned things around in the last few weeks.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Pittsburgh Penguins	GP	G	A	P
Travis Konecny	34	16	24	40	Sidney Crosby	35	9	26	35
Matvei Michkov	32	11	16	27	Evgeni Malkin	35	7	20	27
Owen Tippett	34	11	11	22	Rickard Rakell	35	15	11	26
Travis Sanheim	34	6	14	20	Bryan Rust	28	14	11	25
Sean Couturier	32	6	11	17	Erik Karlsson	35	3	19	22

Owen Tippett broke out in a big way with four points in Saturday's game, including the game-winning goal in overtime. He has two goals and four assists in his last three games. In his last 10 games, Tippett has scored seven goals and has 11 points.

Bryan Rust has been on a major hot streak of last. Since Nov. 27, a span of 12 games, Rust has four multi-point games, including two four-point games. He also has nine goals and 17 points in that time.

Sam Ersson gets the start for the Flyers. Ersson got the win in overtime on Saturday, making 21 saves on 25 shots against Columbus. Ersson has allowed at least three goals in seven straight starts.

Tristan Jarry gets the start for Pittsburgh. Jarry made 24 saves on 26 shots in a loss to the Devils on Saturday. Jarry is 2-2-1 since a personal four-game winning streak. In 15 starts this season, Jarry has allowed three goals or more 11 times.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Deslauriers (injury), Ivan Fedotov (healthy), Erik Johnson (healthy)

Penguins Scratches: Marcus Pettersson (injury), Owen Pickering (injury), Kevin Hayes (healthy), Jesse Puljujarvi (healthy), Nathan Clurman (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: After missing Saturday's game due to personal reasons, Sean Couturier is back in the lineup. Olle Lycksell was sent down on Sunday.
Penguins: Owen Pickering suffered an injury in the last game and will not play. Pierre-Olivier Joseph was acquired in a trade last Wednesday and could play.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (15.6% - 26th), Penguins (22.2% - 13th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (80.2% - 15th), Penguins (82.4% - 9th)
Recent History vs. Penguins
- Feb. 25, 2024 - Penguins 7, Flyers 6 (at PIT)
- Jan. 8, 2024 - Penguins 4, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
- Dec. 4, 2023 - Flyers 2, Penguins 1 (F/OT) (at PHI)
- Dec. 2, 2023 - Flyers 4, Penguins 3 (F/SO) (at PIT)
Team Leaders vs. Penguins
- Tyson Foerster - 5 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 P
- Travis Konecny - 29 GP, 11 G, 13 A, 24 P
- Noah Cates - 5 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 P
- Sam Ersson - 2 GP, 1-1-0, 2.94 GAA, .903 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Sean Couturier needs three goals to reach 200 for his career.