Flyers try to leave West Coast on high note against Anaheim

Dec 17, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen (15) and Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) battle for position in front of goaltender Carter Hart (79) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen (15) and Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) battle for position in front of goaltender Carter Hart (79) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers will try to salvage what has turned in a 1-1-1 road trip as they finish things off in Anaheim against the Ducks. If Philadelphia can come away with a convincing victory, they can feel somewhat good about what they were able to accomplish while away.

There wasn’t a lot of good in their 6-3 loss against the Los Angeles Kings. Defensive miscues continued to rear their ugly head as they’ve been an issue throughout this road trip. The team has been on the West Coast for close to a week now so there should be no excuses about travel or fatigue at this point, though the team wouldn’t admit to that either way.

They’ll take on a Ducks team who has gone winless in their last four games, an 0-2-2 record. They’re coming off a 4-2 loss in which the Colorado Avalanche scored four unanswered goals, two of which came on the power play, to take the victory.

Philadelphia Flyers

Record: 13-13-6 (32 points, 5th in Metro)

The Flyers seven-game point streak was broken in their 6-3 loss to the Kings. And while they had been getting the points, there was a clear understanding that their play was not up to normal standards. There were long periods of play where the opposition was carrying the majority of the play itself. Turnovers and defensive miscues followed them throughout each game.

If they can come out with a win, that would give them five out of a possible eight points. It wouldn’t be a complete success, of course, but it would give them something to hang their hats on.

Joel Farabee has been heating up again as he has three goals in his last four games. Scott Laughton will re-join the lineup as he joined the team in Anaheim and took part in practice on Monday.

Carter Hart, who has dealt with the flu and COVID in the last few weeks, will also be back. Even with just a single practice under his belt, there is a chance he will be the starter for Philadelphia this evening. He’s had success against the Ducks. He’s 2-0-0 and has made 70 stops on 73 total shots. Hart last played on December 16th so he’ll have some rust to shake off if he does indeed start.

The Flyers did get a huge blow to their lineup as the team announced that Claude Giroux and Ivan Provorov were placed in COVID protocol. For Provorov, that ends a streak of 403 consecutive games to start his career.

Gerry Mayhew and Cam York will come into the lineup for Giroux and Provorov. With that, there will be plenty of changes to the lineup. What’s below may not even up being what the team goes with.

Projected Lineup


Farabee – Hayes – Atkinson

Lindblom – Frost – Konecny

van Riemsdyk – Laughton – Mayhew 

Willman – Brown -MacEwen


Sanheim – Ristolainen

York – Braun 

Yandle – Connauton

Hart

Anaheim Ducks

Record: 17-11-7 (41 points, 2nd in Pacific)

This is the first time Philadelphia visits Anaheim since December of 2019. The Flyers came away with the 4-1 victory as Hart made 40 saves and earned the first star of the game.

The Ducks have done well in the offensive department as they have five players with 20+ points on the season. They’ve been led by Troy Terry, who is in the midst of a complete breakout season. He has 18 goals and 31 points in 34 games. That shattered his career-high seven goals last season. He’s one assist away from a high there as well.

Trevor Zegras has been a star as he’s in his second season with the Ducks. He’s been a highlight reel machine this year. He’s got eight goals and 25 points in 30 games. He has been in COVID protocol, but could potentially join the team for this game. If not, Anaheim may only have 10 forwards available.

John Gibson has been a typical workhorse for the Ducks. He’s looking to break out of his own losing streak as well as his last win came on December 9th. Overall he’s 11-9-6 with a 2.71 GAA and a .915 SV%.

Projected Lineup

Rakell – Steel – Silfverberg

Comtois – Lundestrom – Terry

Milano – Carrick – Lettieri

Robinson


Lindholm – Drysdale

Fowler – Manson

Benoit – Shattenkirk


Gibson

When, Where, and How to Watch

Time: 10:00 PM

Where: Honda Center

TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic

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