Game 80 Preview: Flyers @ Blackhawks
iInterim head coach Mike Yeo's Philadelphia Flyers (25-43-11) are in the Windy City on Monday to take on interim head coach Derek King's Chicago Blackhawks (26-42-11). Game time at the United Center is 8:00 p.m. EDT (ESPN+/Hulu, 97.5 The Fanatic).
This is the second and final meeting of the season between the teams, and the lone game in Chicago. On the afternoon of March 5 at the Wells Fargo Center, the Flyers collected a 4-3 victory. The Flyers led 1-0, trailed 2-1 and 3-2. In the third period, the Flyers pulled even and then went ahead to stay.
The Flyers enter this game coming off a 4-1 home victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. A stellar performance by the line of Noah Cates (2g, 1a), Morgan Frost (1g, 1a) and Owen Tippett (1a) led the way for Philadelphia.
In the game against Pittsburgh, the Flyers also got an empty-net goal from Travis Konecny, who took over sole possession of the team's overall scoring lead with 51 points (16g, 35a). Both Konecny and Frost have scored goals in back-to-back games. Konecny will bring a five-game point streak (3g, 3a) to Chicago.
On Sunday, Jones flirted with his first shutout of the season until a late 6-on-5 goal by Sidney Crosby but finished with 37 saves on 38 shots. On Monday, the starting nod will likely go to rookie netminder Felix Sandström (0-2-1, 3.29 GAA, .915 SV%).
After losing six games in a row in regulation, the Flyers have won back-to-back games for the first time since beating the Blackhawks and Vegas Golden Knights back-to-back on March 5 and March 8. Philly is 3-7-0 over its last 10 games.
Chicago is 1-4-0 over its last five games and 2-7-1 over the last 10. On Saturday, the Blackhawks concluded a three-game road trip against Pacific Division clubs with a 4-1 loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks.
The Blackhawks found themselves in a 3-0 hole shortly past the midpoint of regulation. It was too much to overcome. Tyler Johnson (3rd goal of the season) got Chicago on the board with a late second-period goal from the low slot off a centering feed by team captain Jonathan Toews. Seth Jones also earned an assist, his 46th helper and 51st point of the season, on the play. San Jose re-established a three-goal margin in the third period.
For an in-depth look at Monday's matchups, statistical trends and players to watch, see the Five Things preview on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.
On Monday's edition of Flyers Daily, Jason Myrtetus and I discussed the final week of the season, young players stepping up of late, and potential looming offseason decision such as whether to sign Travis Sanheim to a contract extension or risk him going into 2022-23 a season away from unrestricted free agent status. Jason also spoke with Flyers goaltender Jones about Sunday's game. To listen, click here.
PROJECTED LINEUPS
FLYERS
21 Scott Laughton - 13 Kevin Hayes - 11 Travis Konecny 25 James van Riemsdyk - 86 Joel Farabee - 46 Bobby Brink 49 Noah Cates - 48 Morgan Frost - 74 Owen Tippett 23 Oskar Lindblom - 44 Nate Thompson - 17 Zack MacEwen
9 Ivan Provorov - 47 Ronnie Attard 84 Linus Högberg - 6 Travis Sanheim 3 Keith Yandle - 54 Egor Zamula
32 Felix Sandström [35 Martin Jones]
PP1: Konecny, Hayes, Farabee, Brink, Sanheim PP2: Frost, Laughton, JVR/Cates, Tippett, Provorov
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Hayes Nominated for Masterton Trophy
On Monday morning, the Professional Hockey Writers Association released the Masterton Trophy nominees from each the 32 chapters across the NHL. The Philadelphia chapter has selected center Kevin Hayes as the Flyers' nominee.
Hayes has been through a hellish last year between the tragic death of his brother, Jimmy, and health wise after undergoing three separate surgeries to deal with a core-muscle tear and a related post-surgical infection. He finally made a healthy return on March 5 (against Chicago) and has led the team in scoring since that time while dressing in all 26 games.
When informed of his nomination, Hayes expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people who have helped him through the ordeal. For more, see "Hayes Honored by Masterton Trophy Nomination" on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.