Flyers Face Penguins on Prominent Rivalry Anniversary
By Colin Newby
The Philadelphia Flyers will face-off against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second consecutive night at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia on the anniversary of Keith Primeau’s fabled overtime winner in one of the greatest chapters of the storied rivalry.
The Flyers, on the back of their captain Claude Giroux, crushed their arch-nemeses 7-2 on Monday in their first multi-goal victory since Feb. 28.
The eighth and final game of the season series between the two Keystone State rivals holds important playoff implications for the Penguins, who are still battling for position in the MassMutual East Division playoff race. The Flyers have taken five out of seven from Pittsburgh so far this season.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 23-22-7 (53 points)
Multipoint performances from Giroux, Jake Voracek, Joel Farabee, and Shayne Gostisbehere powered the Flyers to their most decisive victory of the season on Monday.
Giroux has been the best and most consistent Flyer in 2020-21. He has ramped it up in the season series against Pittsburgh with nine points in seven games. Voracek has also saved his best efforts for this rivalry. He has 16 points in his last 14 games against the Penguins.
Goaltender Brian Elliott is back between the pipes after a phenomenal effort from backup Alex Lyon on Monday. “The Moose” struggled in the Flyers’ recent series against the Devils. He was 0-2 with .808 save percentage in his two most recent starts against New Jersey.
Projected Lineup
Giroux- Couturier- Konecny
Farabee- Hayes- Voracek
van Riemsdyk- Patrick- Aube-Kubel
Lindblom- Laughton- Allison
Provorov- Braun
Sanheim- Gostisbehere
Hagg- Myers
Elliott
Lyon
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 34-16-3 (71 points)
The Penguins had won six of their previous seven before Monday’s loss. They are tied with the Washington Capitals for the East Division’s top spot.
Flyers fans’ hated villain Sidney Crosby entered Monday’s game without a point in three consecutive games. However, he again displayed incredible stick skills for a power play goal from a remarkably difficult angle along the Flyers’ goal line.
Winger Jake Guentzal has established himself in the top tier of NHL wingers in his fifth season. The 26-year-old has 53 points in 53 games playing mainly alongside Crosby on the first line.
Goaltender Casey DeSmith was pulled after the second period Monday with the Flyers ahead 4-0. Tristan Jarry will start tonight after allowing two goals on seven shots in a third period relief effort Monday.
Projected Lineup
Guentzal- Crosby- Rust
Zucker- Malkin- Kapanen
McCann- Gaudreau- Carter
Aston-Reese- Blurger- Sceviour
Dumoulin- Letang
Friedman- Cici
Petterson- Marino
Jarry (starter)
DeSmith
When, Where & How to Watch
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Wells Fargo Center
TV Broadcast: NBCSP, NBCSN, ATTSN-PT
Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: Fubo TV
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