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Stadium Series Gameday: 2/25/17 @ PIT (Heinz Field)

February 25, 2017, 7:27 AM ET [424 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
PREVIEW: FLYERS @ PENGUINS

Finding themselves in an uphill battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Dave Hakstol's Philadelphia Flyers (28-25-7) are at Heinz Field on Saturday to take on Mike Sullivan's defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (37-14-8). Game time is 8:00 p.m. ET. The game will be televised nationally on NBC.

This is the second of four meetings between the inter-state archrivals this season and the first of two in Pittsburgh. The Flyers lost 5-4 on home ice on Oct. 29. The teams will meet again on March 15 at the Wells Fargo Center and March 26 at PPG Paints Arena.

Flyers Outlook

The Flyers, who are just 2-5-1 in their last eight games, are coming off a 4-1 home loss to the
Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Philly played better than the final score suggested but the bottom line was another loss.

A would-be goal by Jakub Voracek in the game's opening minute was washed out upon coach's challenge for goaltender interference by Dale Weise. Later, Ivan Provorov beat Braden Holtby with a rising shot but the puck hit the under-side of the crossbar (without an audible ping) and stayed out of the net. Brayden Schenn notched the lone Flyers goal, while Michal Neuvirth stopped 25 of 29 shots.

Neuvirth will get the start at Heinz Field on Saturday. Michael Del Zotto was a healthy scratch against the Capitals, along with Nick Schultz. Jordan Weal (upper-body injury) is questionable. If he plays, one of Roman Lyubimov or Matt Read is likely to be scratched. Travis Konecny (lower body) is on IR.

Penguins Outlook

The Penguins have posted at least one point in nine of the last 10 games (6-1-3). They are coming off a 3-1 road win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Sidney Crosby (33rd goal of the season), Evgeni Malkin (25th) and Scott Wilson (sixth, first goal of the game) tallied for the Penguins. Matt Murray stopped 29 of 30 shots to earn the win.

Pittsburgh's blueline has been riddled with injuries of late but is on the mend. Top Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (upper-body) is officially a game day decision. Trevor Daley (left knee surgery) and Olli Määttä (left hand surgery) are on injured reserve. Justin Schultz (suspected concussion) may be available. The team acquired veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey to stem the tide.

Projected lineups (subject to change)

FLYERS

40 Jordan Weal - 28 Claude Giroux - 17 Wayne Simmonds
25 Nick Cousins- 10 Brayden Schenn - 93 Jakub Voracek
12 Michael Raffl - 14 Sean Couturier - 22 Dale Weise
76 Chris VandeVelde - 78 Pierre-Édouard Bellemare - 24 Matt Read

9 Ivan Provorov - 47 Andrew MacDonald
32 Mark Streit - 53 Shayne Gostisbehere
23 Brandon Manning - 3 Radko Gudas

30 Michal Neuvirth
[35 Steve Mason]

Scratches: Michael Del Zotto (healthy), Nick Schultz (healthy), Roman Lyubimov (healthy), Travis Konecny (IR, lower body).


PENGUINS

62 Carl Hagelin - 87 Sidney Crosby - 72 Patric Hörnqvist
14 Chris Kunitz - 71 Evgeni Malkin - 81 Phil Kessel
23 Scott Wilson - 13 - Nick Bonino - 59 Jake Guentzel
34 Tom Kuhnhackl - 7 Matt Cullen - 16 Eric Fehr

28 Ian Cole - 4 Justin Schultz
8 Brian Dumoulin - 65 Ron Hainsey
61 Steven Oleksy - 58 Kris Letang or 24 Cameron Gaunce

30 Matt Murray
[29 Marc-Andre Fleury]

Scratches: Kris Letang (questionable, upper body), Justin Schultz (questionable, concussion), Cameron Gaunce (healthy), Carter Rowney (healthy), Chad Ruhwedel (healthy), Olli Määttä (IR, hand surgery), Trevor Daley (IR, knee surgery), Carter Rowney (healthy), Bryan Rust (IR, arm), Conor Sheary (IR, upper body).
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