After the mixed feelings of controversial disallowed goal and OT loss to the flames, the Flyers host a Blues team who are on a four game road stretch. Not the easiest game to take two points from before facing Boston in a matchup they simply have to win to stay within play-off contention. Two points here would bring them within three of the Bruins.
If the challenge already wasn’t great enough, the Blues won’t exactly be handing goals out today. After some time to rest and some new additions to the lines, the Blues want to make it five away wins in a row and continue their pursuit of the Central Division lead.
Philadelphia however are a slightly disappointing 1-2-1 in their last four games overall and oh so very nearly nearly rallied for a fourth consecutive home win Tuesday.
The Flyers (27-25-12) wiped a two-goal deficit clean in the first nine minutes of the third against Calgary but all of the protests and discontent from fans in the world regarding the disallowed goal would not stop Jiri Hudler sending the flames to a 3-2 overtime win. The result left them an intimidating five points behind Boston for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot with Florida in between.
Bortuzzo will look to start for St.Louis tonight as the 6″4 star will replace Ian Cole. An altered lineup for the Blues may also have a knock on effect in Philly as Hextall may well start Voracek who has six goals and six assists in his last eleven against St Louis.
St. Louis took a 4-1 defeat the last time these two teams met on March 22nd. Mason, who stopped 32 shots that game is rumoured to start tonight and record a similar statistic.
Prediction: This is a game that could have huge repercussions for both teams. The Blues want a division title and the Flyers are doing everything they can to make a late surge for the playoffs. But with time swiftly running out and two very tough and important fixtures ahead, I think the Flyers will play attacking hockey from the get go. If they play this game like they approached the third against the Flames then they should win comfortably. If they play it like they played the first two, then they may well sink to a 2-0, 3-0 deficit before the first period. The first period is going to be a crucial as the flyers as of late have been slow starters. I expect them to nail that here tonight though.
Blues 2-4 Flyers
