Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

Flyers-Canucks preview: Philly attempting to halt four-game skid

The Flyers, who have blown two-goal leads in their last two contests, will try to end a four-game losing streak Tuesday against Vancouver.

Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth is expected to start Tuesday against Vancouver.
Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth is expected to start Tuesday against Vancouver.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Canucks (9-8-3) vs. Flyers (8-8-4)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday.

WHERE: Wells Fargo Center.

BROADCAST & STREAMING: TV– NBCSP; radio–97.5 FM.

SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE: Twitter, @BroadStBull; @samdonnellon.

KEY PLAYERS: The Flyers will try to end a four-game losing streak Tuesday when they host a Vancouver team that is led by impressive rookie Brock Boeser, a 20-year-old Minnesota native who paces the Canucks with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists). Boeser played at North Dakota the season after Dave Hakstol left the school to coach the Flyers.

In the 2015 draft that featured Connor McDavid, Boeser was selected 23rd overall — one pick before the Flyers chose Travis Konecny.

The 37-year-old Sedin twins, Daniel (three goals, eight points) and Henrik (two goals, seven points), are a shell of their former all-star selves. The 17-year veterans are playing on the second line and are each minus-6.

Vancouver's lineup includes former Flyers Michael Del Zotto — who has seven points but is minus-10 — and Sam Gagner (two goals).

Expect a low-scoring game. Both teams have struggled to hit the back of the net. The Flyers began Monday 23rd in the 31-team league in goals per game (averaging 2.80) and the Canucks were 26th (2.55).

Michal Neuvirth is expected to get his first start in six games for the Flyers. Neuvirth has a 2.17 goals against average and .928 save percentage. He and Brian Elliott have combined for a 2.70 GAA, which was 10th in the NHL entering Monday.

The Flyers' top line of Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Jake Voracek has combined for 26 of the team's 56 goals (46.4 percent). Wayne Simmonds (no goals in last 12 games), Jordan Weal, and Konecny are among the Flyers struggling to score. Weal and Konecny each have one goal in their last 16 games.

THINGS TO KNOW: Based on Monday's practice, Dale Weise will be a healthy scratch for the Flyers…..Mark Alt is expected to replace the suspended Radko Gudas, though there is a chance the Flyers recall Samuel Morin….The Canucks are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to St. Louis….The Flyers, who allowed three power-play goals in Saturday's 5-4 OT defeat to Calgary,  have blown two-goal leads in each of their last two losses.

 HEAD TO HEAD: This is the first meeting this season between the teams; they will also meet in Vancouver on Dec. 7. The Flyers, who went 2-0 against the Canucks last season, have a 73-33-13 advantage in the all-time series.

UPCOMING GAMES:

Wednesday: 7 p.m. at New York Islanders.

Friday: 4 p.m. vs. New York Islanders.

Monday: 7 p.m. at Pittsburgh.